After leaving the league 4 years ago, the Corio Bay Stingrays have returned to the Country Basketball League South West Conference. The league has seen tremendous growth, with the 2011/12 season seing only 3 teams competing. In 2016/17, the league has doubled to 6 teams and Head Coach Joel Anderson likes what he sees. 'All of the teams in the league have had success at junior level with their girls program,' Anderson said. 'We're looking to build over the next 2 years to develop a Big V Senior Womens team to complement our Youth League team. By playing against quality opposition, we can get a great look at the girls who might be making up the core of that team.'

Led by senior Youth League stars Abby Loughhead and Tamara Knox, the line up has plenty of experience that Anderson can call upon. 'When we went into the league in the first time, we had very little experience in CBL players,' Anderson said. 'You just can't go into a senior league like the CBL with all rookies. With Loughhead, Knox, Tahli Tatlock, Eliza Williamson, Meg Hannah, Tayla Reid and Elisha Montgomery all having plenty of youth league experience, we will be able to hit the ground running. We have Teagan Tatlock and Krystl Bonny who are both good players but are very young. These girls will be able to get experience at a senior level without having to carry the load.'

With a double header to being the season on Saturday October 8th against Warrnmabool and at Portland on Sunday, Anderson hopes his experienced squad will be able to pinch a couple of wins on the road. 'Winning on the road is really hard, especially so early in the season,' Anderson said. 'When you add in it's a double header, it will be a tough weekend. But the girls only finished up Youth League a couple of months of ago so we shouldn't be too rusty.'

One of this weekends opponents is one that Anderson believes he will be seeing come finals time. 'Warrnambool and Mount Gambier will be the teams to beat. There's no easy beats in the league but you definitely have to lift for those 2 games.'

The Stingrays first home game is Saturday 15th October at 6pm versus Millicent Magic. The Men play at 8pm.

 

Team:

Abby Loughhead

Tamara Knox

Shayna Poto

Jessica McDonald

Tahli Tatlock

Teagan Tatlock

Eliza Williamson

Meg Hanna

Tayla Reid

Elisha Montgomery

Krystl Bonny

 

Head Coach: Joel Anderson