Sydney Metro Blues have moved into first place on the ladder with just a round remaining in the 2017 regular season and they were able to claim three straight wins last weekend on the back of a stirring performance from Courtney Ryan.

Playing a major role at both ends of the floor, Ryan averaged 15.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, four assists and 1.3 steals for the round, complementing the efforts of Cobi Crispin and Georgia Munro-Cook.

On Saturday morning against the Lady Heelers, Sydney Metro jumped their opposition early with a 17-7 opening term and then Ryan came alive in the second quarter to give her team a healthy buffer.

She collected nine points, two assists and two steals for the term and in the final minute alone, pulled down two offensive boards which helped her tally the final four points of the half.

Ryan finished with 18 points on 8-18 shooting while her work on the offensive glass allowed the Blues to finish with a 14-2 advantage in second chance points and her three steals led them to a 30-11 edge in points off turnovers.

Backing up that afternoon against the Comets, Sydney Metro again set up a victory with a blistering opening term, owning a ten-point lead by the first break.

On her way to a double-double, Ryan recorded six rebounds in the first quarter but struggled to find the hoop, shooting 1-6 from the field.

She quickly atoned for those misses though, hitting eight of her next 12 to finish with 18 points and ten boards on 50% shooting while adding three assists and a steal in the Blues’ 70-43 victory.

The following day, Sydney Metro swept the round with a 30-point win over Kilsyth, extending their winning streak on the season to six.

Ryan again was instrumental in the win as one of four players to score in double-figures which she complemented with another five rebounds and five assists.

Her near-perfect round came to an end with just one turnover as well and it is the Blues’ ability to share the ball that is making them such a dangerous side as we head into the post-season.

Ryan is also one of five players averaging over seven points per contest and with her starring at both ends of the court, the Blues will be going into the finals as one of the heavy favourites.

Courtney Ryan Round 4 Stats: 15.6 points on 22-48 shooting (46%) including 3-7 free-throw shooting, 6.3 rebounds (1.7 offensive), four assists, 1.3 steals and just 0.3 turnovers per game.