Tough Tigers Take Third Spot

The Chambers Franklyn Joondalup City Wolves Women’s team were defeated by a strong Willetton Tigers squad on Saturday night at HBF Arena. The Wolves, who have been struggling with injury troubles, fell to the Tigers 53-71.

It was an unfortunate loss as the organisation came together to celebrate legends of the club in Heritage Round, as well as the 100^th SBL game of Georgia Denehey, an emerging legend in her own right.

Joondalup’s defence was a shining light managing to win the turnover battle and force inefficient shooting from Willetton, however they were unable to capitalise on offence.

Willetton were also stronger in the rebound battle on the back of star Laina Snyder, who managed to pull down 20 rebounds to go along with her 20-point performance.

Izzy Miotti top scored for the Wolfpack with ten points, while new signee Andee Ritter hit eight, including two three-pointers.

Despite injuries to pivotal players Kayla Steindl and captain Amy Kidner, Head Coach Charles Nix is confident in the women’s ability to produce results heading into the finals.

“It’s going to be a lot of work and there is definitely a time element that we are conscious of but I’m confident we can pull it together and get some really positive results,” Nix said.

The Wolves got off to a slow start, unable to connect consistently early until Ritter hit two pivotal threes in close succession.

The first was a tide turner giving Joondalup some momentum halfway through to first quarter, the other a buzzer beater that would give Joondalup a 16-15 lead heading into the first break.

The second quarter was a strong defensive showing for both squads but a late run for Willetton put them up 29-34 at half time.

Despite the Wolves’ best efforts, the Tigers put the foot down in the second half. The third quarter ended with another Wolves buzzer beater, this time courtesy of Miotti, however the score line heading into the final quarter sat at 38-49.

The fourth quarter was more of the same of the Tigers who managed to stretch the lead out to 21 points before Denehey fittingly hit a three to finish the game.

With the final score set at 53-71, Willetton took third spot on the ladder while Joondalup round out the top four heading into the final month of the regular season.

 

Wolfpack Basketball returns to HBF Arena next Friday, July 5, when your Chambers Franklyn Joondalup City Wolves take on the Lakeside Lightning.

 

Wolves Men Honour Club's Winning Heritage 

The Chambers Franklyn Joondalup City Wolves Men’s team defeated the Willetton Tigers 87-74 in SBL’s Heritage Round at HBF Arena on Saturday night.

The Wolves were a man short from their usual line-up with Ridell Camidge resting a sore foot ahead of next week’s double header to start the final month of the regular season.

Coach Ben Ettridge talked about heading into the final month, saying “good form is what you want to take into the finals… we’ve got a couple of tough double headers and we expect those things to test us but we’re ready for August.”

The boys are certainly looking like a well-oiled machine with everyone stepping up in Dell’s absence. Rob Huntington and Earnest Ross Jr were on fire from long range, scoring three and four threes respectively en route to a game high 21 for Huntington and 19 for Ross.

Kevin Davis did what only Kevin Davis can do scoring 16 points while snatching 10 rebounds along with two huge blocks.

Damien Scott and Maurice Barrow did their usual work on the offensive end for Willetton with Scott putting up 20 points and Barrow 17. The Wolves came out swinging, getting off to an early 19-9 lead before the Tigers began clawing their way back into it.

Ben Ironmonger, Trian Iliadis, Ross and Huntington all connected from deep in the first quarter giving Joondalup a huge start leading into a 27-20 lead at quarter time.

Joondalup got off to another hot start in the second quarter breaking out to a 44-30 lead before a timeout was called with just over three minutes left in the half.

On the inbounds play following the timeout, Iliadis found Davis for a huge alley-oop slam. Heading into the main break, young (green) blood Bailey Basso hit the buzzer beater to set the halftime score line of 56-38.

During the half time break the crowd were treated to a shooting competition between four Joondalup Wolves legends and former champions.

The line-up was made up of former Wolves champions Mike Lynn, Vince Kelley, Doug Gates and Shani Caldwell, with Doug Gates coming out on top. It was a great highlight during what was a very special ‘heritage’ night for the club.

To start the second half, Willetton came out all guns blazing bringing it back to just a one-point game before the Wolves managed to push the lead back out again.

Huntington finished the quarter strong for Joondalup setting up a 12-point lead at three-quarter time.

Three quarter time included another treat for Wolves fans old and new as Craig Weston of the Wolfpack’s 1993 championship team took the half-court shot. Unfortunately, he couldn’t hit from his three attempts, but it was plenty of fun all the same. 

Joondalup kept the momentum in a low scoring fourth quarter, winning the final term just 12-11.

It wasn’t without excitement, of course, with Davis finishing his double double, and Willetton’s Jackson Hussey receiving a technical foul for a verbal exchange as his fifth and final personal foul late in the game.

Despite the Tigers best efforts there was no overcoming the Wolfpack in this performance heading into the all-important last month before finals.

Joondalup are currently sitting in the top spot on the ladder but will be facing two of the top four in their final five games.