Weekly WABL Wrap – Round 2 – 4 May 2025

The Weekly WABL Wrap is proudly sponsored by Woods Insurance Brokers. 

Here’s the Round 2 wrap-up of how all our teams went, including comments from coaches:

12-1 Girls – Kelly Webb (sponsored by CPR Electrical)

Lost to Cockburn 20-66

Coach comments

• A massive improvement can be noticed intensity-wise in offence and defence; however, the opposing team outran us on various occasions.
• The girls’ communication skills are getting better on and off the court.
• Shay Olowoyo outdid herself in the rebounding stakes today.

12-2 Girls – Charlize Nicolaou (sponsored by Mount Hawthorn Clinical Psychology)

Lost to Mandurah 22-41

Coach comments

• The girls were neck and neck until the third quarter when they put their heads down. The girls played an amazing game using what they’ve learnt at training. They also used teamwork to help each other score, stop d and to let each other know where the other team was. I’m so very proud of the girls and the effort they put in !!!
• Millie Kavanagh was an absolute demon on court this week, using immaculate defence to cause turnovers for the other team, like a quiet assassin. She was silent but deadly the entire game!
• Indi Mascurine was a Boeing 2.0 on court this week, helping to turn over the ball, defending players much, much bigger than her, creating space so her teammates could score in offense and using her loud voice so people knew where she was so they could pass to her!
• Emily Egan was amazing the entire game, although she got 3 quick fouls in the first half she used that to her advantage. She had one of the best defences I saw the entire game. She also almost got a three-pointer in, but was short by less than a centimetre!
• I’m very proud of everyone who played on Sunday and wish I could name all of them and their efforts and achievements during the game!

12-3 Girls – Paul Philpott

Won against East Perth Red 25-20

Coach comments

• A bit of a clencher for our girls today with the Eagles keeping the scoreboard tight throughout. Despite this challenge for our Redbacks girls, we demonstrated that confidence truly has no competition. Our recent practice with inbound plays really paid off this week, making it hard for the Eagles to slow our passage towards the ring. Our fierce defence was on the mark also, allowing us to frequently pick the pockets of the Eagles, leading us to a magnificent and deserved result on the final scoreboard.
• Hazel McElvenny was highly present in the paint today with unbeatable rebounding and putting an amazing 8 points on the board.
• There was a big D in Daisy Robertson today in her defence wherein she took on much bigger Eagles players often wrestling furiously with them for possession.
• Ava Socratous, with her on-court availability and coverage, proved to be an unwanted nuisance for the Eagles.

12-4 Girls – Dave Power

Won against Hills Raiders 17-16

Coach comments

• Thriller in the Hills! This was a defensive arm wrestle for most of the game. We went into the 4th down 11-16. A top 4th quarter defensive effort from the team held them to zero in the quarter. We clawed back, after a sideline inbounds in the back court, we executed and got a shot at the rim in the last 8 seconds to win 17-16.
• Narayana Daley and Aurelie Ford returned to the group for their first game of the season and did really well.
• Lilah Ratajewski top-scored 6 points in a row to keep us close.
• Wanda Power was everywhere on defence and was rewarded with a game-winning finish at the rim!

12-1 Boys – Craig Dropulich (sponsored by Profusion Planning)

Won against South West Slammers 59-53

Coach comments

• Today, we made a very successful long trip to Bunbury. We lost to this team in grading by three, but we were really in control of this game from start to finish. We created lots of turnovers from 1 on 1 pressure on the ball carrier. This was pleasing to see. We dominated the rebounding, which resulted in Rintaro and Lenny scoring quite heavily. Our closing out and help defence is showing improvement.
• We got off to a good start and just kept building on our small lead. Every time they came at us, we steadied and turned the game back in our favour, usually once or twice in every quarter. This was a completely different type of game from the first week for us. We are playing well in dealing with different opponents’ playing styles. Our lead got out to 11 in the last, and we managed the last 3 or 4 minutes very well completing the win by 6 points.
• Rintaro Haginiwa had a good game – he worked hard on his positioning on court, rebounding, shooting and getting put-backs. He got fed many assists by his teammates and shot well. He was very physical under the basket at both ends and dominated the scoring today.
• Alex Litas got good shots off and defended physically. He is playing above his age and developing nicely with all the older boys.

12-2 Boys – Dom Pitchen (sponsored by Candy Verse)

Lost to Lakeside 37-58

Coach comments

• This game overall was a massive improvement from last week. The boys were playing with each other, trying not to panic under pressure, and attacking the ring with aggression. The first quarter was a slow start with the boys spacing the floor nicely but not playing with aggression and not allowing them to find the best shots. They picked up in the second quarter really attacking the ring and moving into space for their teammates to find them. The boys put up a good fight, bringing the game to 10 at one point. Defensively, the boys are starting to take chest blows and hard pressure the ball. They should be proud of their efforts from in the second.
• Tommy Stephenson’s defensive presence was very impactful his on ball pressure and ability to use his body is very good and sets a strong example of the intensity of how the rest boys should play defence. Offensively, it is Tommy’s ability to stretch the floor with his deep midranges and then attack the basket strongly and draw players in and then make a kick out or shovel passes to an open teammate for easy shots. He had a strong game and should be proud of his efforts.
• Levi Giglia, offensively, was drawing out players to create room for his teammates and find them for easy looks at the ring or on the perimeter. He was also able to drive to the ring strong and sparked the other boys to attack the same. Defensively, he worked hard inside the paint to fight for rebounds and did well to chase the ball and make intercepts. Well done Levi.
• Max Williams used his size in the paint, fighting for rebounds and securing second-chance points for us. He pushed himself whenever he was on the floor giving 100 percent and is beginning to understand how to use his body to make room for him self to operate. His ability to see the court and space and the either pass to it or move into it is strong and allows the boys to move the ball well and space the court well. Good job Max.

12-3 Boys – Wayne Dropulich (sponsored by Axis Mineral Service)

Won against Lakeside 68-58

Coach comments

• Our second WABL game was a strong step forward, showing continued growth and greater scoring consistency across all four quarters. We came out with great intensity again, applying early pressure on defence and converting it into fast break points. Jesse Freeman and Baxter Miles got us going offensively, combining for our first three field goals. By the midpoint of the quarter, we had taken control of the game with a 10–4 lead. Cayden Wedge and Quinn Connell added to the momentum, and we finished the first quarter ahead 16–10.
• In the second quarter, we started slowly, giving up an 8-4 run before we called a timeout with the score tied at 20. We responded with our own 6–2 run to reassert control, which forced our opponents into a timeout. Cayden was outstanding, scoring 8 points in the period and constantly attacking the rim. Despite committing a few unnecessary fouls, we controlled the tempo and went into halftime with a 30–25 lead.
• After the break, we raised our level again and had our most dominant stretch of the game. A key 19–0 scoring run during the third quarter broke the game open and gave us full momentum. The 19-0 run was a real team effort. Defensively, we had great pressure and steals by Cayden, Quinn and Cole Jones, allowing Hudson McClintock and Miles to score 6 points each and Jesse contributed 4 points. Jesse also added a three-pointer late to help extend our lead. By the end of the third quarter, we had built a commanding 52–32 advantage.
• In the fourth, our defensive pressure dropped off and we allowed them to close the gap to just 6 points. However, after this we did manage to up the defence again to finish the game out with a 6-2 run and maintain control of the game. Allowing us to close out the game 68–58.
• Overall, it was a well-rounded team performance with multiple contributors on both ends of the floor. Our offensive balance and defensive intensity were key to the win, and we’ll look to build on that heading into next week’s matchup.
• Cayden Wedge made a strong impact in our win, scoring 14 points. He stepped up in key moments and brought energy on both ends of the court with both great defensive plays, causing turnovers, allowing fast transition points, and attacking the ring on offence. Cayden showed great composure after picking up his 4th foul during the 3rd quarter by still contributing to the team and avoiding getting another foul. His performance highlighted his growth as a defender, scorer and competitor.
• Jesse Freeman delivered a standout offensive performance, leading the team with 17 points. He opened his scoring early in the first quarter and consistently contributed across all four quarters. Jesse hit multiple key field goals, including 7 points in our dominant third-quarter surge, including a 3-point shot late in the third to extend our lead. Jesse’s scoring consistency and ability to deliver in big moments made him a crucial factor in the team’s victory.

12-4 Boys – Mason Wigmore (sponsored by Sushi Wawa)

Won against Hills Raiders 53-21

Coach comments

• A much improved effort up the hill saw us walk out with our first win of season 2025! A great improvement in defensive pressure and offensive execution saw us play our style of game and led to us securing a great first win.
• Alfie Marshall’s effort on rebounding and in transition made us very dangerous on both ends.
• Hunter Gunnis’ continuous effort and his poise have become a major asset for us as we start to play much faster.
• Alex Kirou’s ball handling and paint penetration helped us generate a lot of great looks on offense.
• Also shoutouts to our bigger players for accepting the challenge and giving their efforts as ball handlers for the last quarter!

14-1 Girls – Helen Pardini (sponsored by Ferguson Corporation)

Lost to Eastern Suns 36-42

Coach comments

• After a slow start in the first quarter, the girls regrouped and delivered a strong defensive effort, winning each of the remaining quarters in points, rebounds and stops. Although we couldn’t quite bridge the early gap, we held the Suns to under 10 points in every quarter, disrupted their final play, and brought unmatched energy from the bench, which kept spirits high and support strong throughout.
• It was encouraging to see the girls backing themselves and taking more confident shots. Their resilience and “never give up” attitude made us incredibly proud. While the result didn’t go our way, the smiles after the game said it all—they’re already reflecting on the positives and looking ahead to the next challenge.
• Alida Barmentloo opened her scoring account for the season with a strong finish in transition, also contributing key defensive stops.
• Darcey Hill stood out once again as our hustle player, forcing several crucial turnovers.
• Paige Granato brought intensity and pace, making an impact at both ends of the floor.
• Mia Exeter led our scoring for the second week in a row and added three assists, constantly creating scoring opportunities.

14-2 Girls – Reid Ballantine (sponsored by Access Hire)

Lost to Mandurah 39-43

Coach comments

• Mandurah damaged us early in the game when our defensive match-ups were a mess and they dashed to an 8-point lead. We slowly ground our way back to even the score early in the 4th, but after that, both teams traded buckets (and turnovers), and we lost the arm wrestle by 4.
• In the second half, when we could get back fast in transition, our defence was more accountable, and there were times Mandurah could not get a look inside or outside. We will need this from the start next week against a top-class Warwick.
• We had plenty of opportunities to score more off inbound plays, but we set up too slowly and lacked intensity in these moments. Mandurah pounced on us every time, hacked a steal and transitioned fast to make us pay at the other end.
• Skye Brodie in her first WABL game had an absolute ripper, pressuring the rim and drawing fouls and acing 6 for 6 shots at the line and swishing a deeper midrange bucket. To quote Alyssa Rullo on the bench, “You’re red hot Skye!! I can feel the burn”.
• Alyssa was in their face and claimed 5 steals and also splashed a juicy 3 to get the team going.
• Winnie Devitt was fast in transition, getting open nicely and finishing layups well for 8 points.
• Elsey Lohman white did a great job attacking gaps and scoring 6 points in the paint.

14-3 Girls – Rori Roberts (sponsored by National Geotech)

Won against Warwick 57-36

Coach comments

• The game started pretty even, going basket for basket. During the second quarter, we were able to break away and hold the lead for the rest of the game. During this game, we saw how good we can be defensively!
• Olive Bird was outstanding this game, being super aggressive on both the offensive and defensive ends. She finished the game with 12 points.
• Darcy Brian set the tone on the defensive end, always up and in the lane. Finishing the game with 3 deflections and 2 steals
• A massive congratulations to Stevie Brehaut for playing her 50th game for the Perth Redbacks.

14-4 Girls – Lucy Dowling (sponsored by Gobsmacked Mouthguards)

Won against Hills Raiders 45-29

Coach comments

• We started a little slow, but once we were going, we did not stop!
• We played brilliant transition defence, stopping the ball early in the full court, and keeping our hands out. We caused multiple 8-second violations for the opposition and generated many quick fast breaks from interceptions and steals.
• We pulled away in the last quarter as we kept pushing for fast breaks before the defence could ‘set up’.
• Madeleine ‘Maddie’ Marshal pulled in solid rebounds all game, putting her body on the line and never giving up.
• Maeve Whitehouse pushed the ball in offensive transition and put up some great shots. Her natural athleticism and fantastic work ethic make for a dream player.
• Eloise Watts and Zara Flynn continue to make an impact on the court and the bench, with their positive attitudes and 100% efforts.

14-1 Boys – Adam Gunnis (sponsored by Paragon Corporate Training)

Lost to Willetton 57-83

Coach comments

• After a challenging opener against Warwick in Week 1, the boys faced another tough opponent in Willetton for Week 2. Once again, they brought great energy and effort throughout the game.
• We came out firing, jumping to an early 9–2 lead and forcing Willeton to make adjustments. From there, it was a competitive battle, with both teams trading scoring runs. Unfortunately, their momentum swings lasted longer than ours, and we were unable to close the gap down the stretch.
• Vinnie Ryder demonstrated a strong feel for the game this week, using his pace effectively to get to the basket and force the defence into rotations/scramble. His ability to draw the second line of defence helped open up good looks for teammates, and he led the team in scoring with 12 points.
• It was great to have Maksim Grubic back after missing Week 1. His strength gave us a solid presence on both ends of the floor, and he made an immediate impact, finishing with 11 points.
• Huge congrats to Will Ryan, who played his 50th WABL game for Redbacks in this contest.

 

14-2 Boys – Mitch Jesson (sponsored by E&M Electrical)

Lost to Lakeside 62-78

Coach comments

• The team certainly improved from our first outing. We worked hard as a squad to lift our defensive intensity, and we started the game well, competing with a talented Lakeside outfit. However, foul discipline hurt us, as we committed 10 more fouls and gave them free throw opportunities.
• We managed to win the rebound count by +12, which was an area of focus for us. We had more transition and second-chance points. Where Lakeside bettered us was in three-point shooting. Ours was a respectable 31%; however, Lakeside hit 70%, going 7/10.
• We had a poor offensive third quarter, only scoring 8 points, however, we finished in the last quarter by scoring 24 and going down by 16.
• We’ll continue to work to improve our deficiencies.
• Leo Burton was challenged to crash the boards and make use of his length. 6 hard-fought boards to go with 10 points and 2 steals was really good to see. As a coach, there is nothing more rewarding than a player putting into practice what you teach.
• Harry Frame was another player challenged to be a more aggressive ball carrier and defender. Again, Harry delivered. The highlight of the day was a beautiful coast-to-coast lay-up as he beat a pressing defence. 8 points at 50% to go with 3 boards, 2 assists and a block was a good afternoon.
• Loki Griffiths is a big lad with a big heart. He is still learning how to use his physical attributes to impact games, however, as he adds consistency, he’ll be a game changer. He got to the free throw line more than any other player on the floor, team high 8 boards and had the highest +/- for our team.

14-3 Boys – Dave Ogden (sponsored by Balance My Books)

Won against South West Slammers 66-34

Coach comments

• We played our first home game and had our first win of the season! The boys had a slow start but worked their way into the game at the back end of the first quarter and played some good basketball for the last 3 quarters. The improvement in our half-court offense from our first games was a credit to the group. The motion actions we had been working on are starting to come together as the boys understand each other’s movements and where the shots will come from. Our help defence and rebounding were at a much higher standard than our first game, and a big factor in the positive result.
• James Price had a massive game and was an igniter to kick-start our season. He top-scored with 17, and his impact defensively in transition was enormous. His two-way running and hustle would have caused several turnovers, and he would attack the other way with real energy and showed his skill with some of his finishing.
• Lucas Blackmore played his 50th game for the club and showed real growth in the tactical positioning I am asking him to do. He had a handy 10 points, battled hard to rebound against bigger players, was important in our team structures, and will only get better.
• Victor Muyna also got on the scoreboard with 10. He hits the open lane with some real power, can finish against contact, and is really hard to stop when he gets downhill. He got injured and battled on without fuss, and if anything, it brought out the best in him.
• Well done to the boys on a solid win, which was a real team performance shared by all 10 players.

14-4 Boys – Ethan Saliacus (sponsored by Meritus Legal)

Won against Mandurah 62-48

Coach Comments

• It was really pleasing to get a win in the second game of the season, and the boys played really well for all quarters and stayed steady to get the win. In a game that had lots of fouls called in the first half, everyone made the adjustment in the second half to play the game out.
• Well done to Eli Mancini, who, even though he had early foul trouble, remained disciplined in the second half and gave energy and effort on both ends of the court.
• It was great to have Emmett Harman play his first game of the season for us. He gave us energy and pressured the opposition defensively. He shot the open shots when they presented.  Well done Emmett.

16-1 Girls – Nigel Esau (sponsored by F45 Vic Park)

Won against Perry Lakes 74-37

Coach comments

• The girls came out a little tight and missed a few layups to start the game. The girls then found their groove, with the bench players pushing us to a 12-point lead. We played great defence and offensively got the attempts we’ve been working on getting at practice. We held strong in the second half, limiting Perry Lakes to just 16 points and extending our lead to the win.
• Lottie Ballentine came out and changed the game for us. She was extremely strong defensively and took advantage of her mismatch offensively.
• Ella Welsh, Chelsea Karsum and Grace Butcher poured in points for us while Paige Ogden had another solid outing, highlighted by her good defence.

16-2 Girls – Simon Daff (sponsored by West Coast Reinforcing)

Won against Cockburn 79-42

Coach comments

• After struggling last week to look after the ball, the girls did a great job this week of slowing the game down and making better decisions. Our 1st and 3rd quarters were very impressive, scoring at a high volume from pressure, turnovers and rebounds. If we can string 4 quarters together like that we will be in great shape moving forward. But a good win and momentum going into a big game next week.
• Alice Lawrance once again dominated this game. She is aggressive but making good decisions. She managed to get to the foul line a lot and was rewarded as the top scorer of the game.
• Alessia Wladyka continues her great season at point guard. She just looks after the ball well, makes good decisions and controls the tempo very well. All the things a coach asks from a ball carrier.
• Ellie Pike and Halle Griffiths had great defensive games. Their ability to pressure the ball and work hard enough to stay in front of their players was pivotal to winning this game.

16-3 Girls – Dahney Chamberlain (sponsored by Total Digital)

Won against Cockburn 72-56

Coach comments

• The girls played a phenomenal game. They started really strong, hitting a couple of three-pointers to put us ahead. Cockburn did creep up, making the girls work even harder, but they did not give up and ended up winning the game with flying colours. They worked hard defensively and ran the floor, creating really good opportunities for easy scores. The girls should be super proud of how they played this weekend, the rest of the season looks very bright and exciting!!
• Sasha Kuan blew all of us away. She stepped out on the court and absolutely shot the lights out, hitting some amazing shots and her leadership was amazing to see. She gave her all to the game and did not give up.
• Madison McKibbin’s confidence and gameplay were amazing. She attacked the basket with confidence and aggression; her on-ball defence was intense and with purpose.
• Ella Fair was given specific tasks throughout the game and never failed to crush them. Ella’s defensive pressure was incredible, she was able to pressure Cockburn and get some really good steals

16-4 Girls – Caitlin Rawes (sponsored by NewSmile Dental Centre)

Won against Mandurah 53-50

Coach comments

• Nail-biter of a game, ended with a 3pt win. Was a really intense game, with a lot of unsportsmanlikes and technicals on the other side, but the girls kept to their own game and got the win
• Harper Grace had a great game – she managed to play a 1-5 role, getting to the basket along with rebounding over girls bigger than her.
• Eloise O’Shea is starting to come out of her shell, getting more confident in taking her shots and also coming to us to ask questions

16-1 Boys – Francis Crawshaw (sponsored by Pivot Project Consulting)

Lost to Cockburn 81-100

Coach comments

• We started well again, went into the half quite close, had a really good third quarter, but let the game slip away in the fourth.
• Jamie Cahill hit a deep three as the shot clock expired early in the fourth that would have seen us take the lead. That was disallowed, and in my opinion, was a big momentum changer.
• Our transition offense, pushing the ball in broken play was positive, but we failed to make our shots at the basket through contact.
• We did well on the offensive boards, but again failed to convert our second-chance points.
• We also struggled with our defensive rotations in the paint, allowing many points there.
• A big presence from Riley Barmentloo inside saw him finish with 27 points
• Nate Cass had 15 points and Asher Munjodzi 16. Both worked hard on the boards as well.

16-2 Boys – Dave Power (sponsored by F45 Vic Park)

Lost to Rockingham 58-98

Coach comments

• We got on the back foot with a different style of game this week. Far less physical, but more speed, transition and guard pressure. We were consistent with each quarter’s production and got better defensively each quarter. This week, we were able to get guys going that struggled last week, so with the whole group now seeing the ball go in, we’re excited to bring it all together in the coming weeks.
• Tace Rankin shot well from outside the arc, hitting four 3s that were all net and led our team in scoring with 16 points.
• Lucas Lee attacked downhill to the basket and was very hard to stop on his way to 15 points.
• Sebastian Doyle had a 9-point quarter, being aggressive and drawing fouls through contact at the rim.

16-3 Boys – Ash Brian (sponsored by Cogito Psychology)

Won against Warwick 100-68

Coach comments

• Once again, our defence set the tone. The boys were locked in from the start, applying pressure and staying aggressive, making it challenging for the opposition to find any rhythm.
• Christian Cvitan led us in scoring, but his overall impact was huge: 70% from the field, 12 rebounds, 2 deflections, and 6 steals. A complete performance.
• Train-on Tom Coppard made the most of his minutes, adding 6 points and pulling down some tough boards. Great energy off the bench.
• Kobe Peppin contributed across the board, including a team-high 8 steals — a standout defensive effort that helped keep the pressure on all game.

16-4 Boys – John Revelle (sponsored by Wille Creek Pearls)

Lost to Perry Lakes 48-68

Coach comments

• In our first home game of the season, the boys gave a strong effort on the defensive end of the floor and on the glass (20 steals, 24 offensive rebounds). We played the Hawks fairly even in the first half, trailing by 5 entering the third, but poor shooting (26% FG, 29% FT) eventually caught up with us as the margin reached 20 at the final buzzer.
• Scoring was balanced with Will Holzheimer, Jacob Tan, and Hisham Elmi each tallying 8 pts and Elliott Birch and Parker Dunstan each pitching in 7 pts.
• Rebounding numbers from Parker (10), Hisham (9) and Tom Burnett (9) were very impressive.

18-1 Girls – Sam Fox (sponsored by Woods Insurance Brokers)

Lost to Eastern Suns 59-75

Coach comments

• Our energy was a little off to start the game and we found ourselves in a hole early. The Suns played with intent in the early exchanges and showed us they were up for a fight; however, we were not. As the game went on, it felt like they kept growing in confidence, which made it hard for us to make a run and wrestle any momentum back. A tough day at the office. But a good lesson on how we don’t want to be a team that gets outworked by our opponents.
• Steph Hunt and Lailah Tasker provided some much-needed spark off the bench. Our pace always lifts whenever these two check into the game.
• Matilda Pyne looks unstoppable at times when she gets downhill. And is growing with confidence, shooting from beyond the arc.
• Ella Welsh has a great ability to turn defensive pressure into points and was a nightmare for their guards in the backcourt.
• Special mention and congratulations to Leeshar Tuialii for making her NBL1 debut this weekend also. A huge achievement for you and your family and a testament to your hard work over the years. Well done Leesh!

18-2 Girls – Geoff Alger (sponsored by The Loan Company)

Won against Lightning 63-38

Coach comments

• Lightning jumped to an early lead with some good shooting and spirited defence, which managed to upset our offensive fluency. Once we started looking after the ball better, we gained ascendancy on the back of paint control to take a slight lead into half-time.
• After half time, we continued to extend our lead, helped by a lift in defensive intensity and improved transition offence.
• The ability to play through all nine players was important in maintaining energy throughout the game and we were particularly pleased with the noise and encouragement coming from our bench from start to finish.
• Millie Stancil celebrated her 100th game, and she delivered a great all-around performance that showed her years of experience and development. She made great decisions with ball in hand scoring and assisting exceptionally efficiently while also contributing rebounds and steals. Congratulations on the milestone Millie.
• Arabella Kahl played really well, also making good decisions with ball in hand, finishing and passing well and good defensive positioning to play a big part of our paint control.
• Jess Kerp returned from injury and her control in offense and trademark defensive pressure were big pluses for the team. Her perfect shooting game was a nice bonus.

18-3 Girls – Marcia Dowling (sponsored by Packaging Perth)

Lost to Joondalup 42-51

Coach comments

• Our first quarter was a slow start again, allowing Wolves an early 9-point lead. However, after a quick timeout and mindset reset, the girls played better than ever. Amazing movement and vocals in our zone defence made shots nearly impossible for the opposition. Our passes were more accurate than last week, and the ball movement in offense was great. The girls got in front by 2-3 points on a couple of occasions. It was just some lucky wild shots from Wolves near the end of the fourth quarter that got them the win.
• Liv Weddikara played under the basket with such determination and resilience, resulting in great shots and solid rebounding.
• Paige Wigmore and Sienna Care boxed out with strength.
• Ella Baxter celebrated her 50th game in style.
• Charlotte Dillon was a machine in transition, making great fast breaks but mainly stopping and stealing the ball consistently through four quarters.

18-1 Boys – Stephen Charlton (sponsored by Cannington Mazda)

Won against Hills Raiders 101-78

Coach comments

• This was a good win considering we only had 7 fit players, including Hunter Mettam playing up from the 2s. We won every quarter and showed glimpses of our best basketball.
• Cuba Brian had to play the point for most of the game and still finished with 22 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 steals
• Jaden Exeter was the top scorer in the game with 25 points to go with 9 boards, an assist and a block
• Ben Galvin filled the stat sheet with 24 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 3 huge blocks.

18-2 Boys – Nick D’Elia (sponsored by EJL Mechanical)

Won against East Perth 80-76

Coach comments

• We got off to another slow start this week, unfortunately, a recurring theme at the moment. While we played at a fast pace and managed some quick baskets, turnovers were an issue, preventing either team from building a solid lead. Mistakes were abundant on both sides, making it feel like the game was always up for grabs.
• Rodney Lovasi provided a crucial spark off the bench, pushing the tempo on the fast break, making key plays, and delivering a huge block when the game was hanging in the balance. As we approached the final three to four minutes, it felt like the momentum was slipping away. The opposition pulled ahead by six points, and our scoring seemed to dry up.
• Then Deegan Castle found his composure, attacking the basket with confidence and scoring at will.
• Inspired by the defensive presence of Zadyn Thomas—our defensive anchor—the entire team locked in on clutch defence, turning the game around in dramatic fashion. The intense finish had us on edge, but thankfully, we emerged victorious.
• A game full of swings, challenges, and big-time plays—it was one to remember.

18-3 Boys – Dan Cartwright (sponsored by Meyer Shircore Architects)

Lost to East Perth 72-89

Coach comments

• We led this game at half-time but didn’t execute our game plan defensively and were out-rebounded in the second half.
• We showed that we are capable of competing at a high level, however, we have a lot of work to do.
• Julien Richardson, Harvey Wishart and Jalen Dustan have been really consistent for us and again led the team in multiple statistical categories every week.

18-4 Boys – Jess Tiwade (sponsored by Dental Gallery Mt Lawley)

Won against Willetton 58-87

Coach comments

• Another win for the season against Willetton, coming through with a 29-point victory. We started the first quarter with strong intensity. However, composure and tempo were evident to make a change. We led in all quarters, specifically a strong 4th quarter, ensuring our mental game and intensity with an aligned mindset. In the fourth we had 70% point uplift that added to the total win. Fantastic to see consolidation and learnings.
• Tom Lindegger came out with strong offence from quarter 1 to 4, as our top scorer with 26pts. He dominated in the paint, both rebounding and scoring. He also demonstrated versatile offence with some threes.
• Mark Sunkar played a solid and consistent game that supported the team tempo. Awesome work!
• Jimmy Ford played an excellent defensive game, matching up to a key offence player to deny the ball. He strongly contributed to our fourth quarter being our strongest.

21-1 Girls – John Care’

Won against Perry Lakes 88-74

Coach comments

• The girls started well and maintained a lead throughout the game against Perry Lakes. Whilst they often pushed to get back, the girls maintained their composure and executed to take home the win.
• Well done to Jenna Jackson, Kate Anderson and Zoe Hazeldine scoring in double digits but also contributing on the defensive end this week, getting steals, hunting rebounds and getting stops.

20-1 Boys – Andrew Logan (sponsored by IPI Packers)

Lost to Warwick 56-73

Coach comments

• Tough game against a team that was hungrier than us early. A good reminder of where we need to be to compete at a level that we can be proud of. Winning the third and fourth quarters we know we have what it takes but we need to be switched on from the start.
• David Moore showed his athleticism with a highlight dunk off a baseline drive in traffic.
• Issac Moore provided scoring on a day we found it difficult to generate offence.
• Riley Ford played hard and made his presence felt out on the floor.

20-2 Boys – John Foley

Lost to Willetton 59-97

Coach comments

• A milestone game for Benji Berardis, it was his 100th WABL game. Benji played a solid game with 20 points and led the defensive effort throughout the game. What an achievement, 100 games of WABL. Big Congrats to Benji!!
• Unfortunately, the game started slowly out of the blocks. Defensively, we weren’t quick enough to the ball, and offensively, we moved it too slowly and over-dribbled.
• The second quarter showed signs of improvement on both ends of the floor. Offensively, the ball movement picked up, and we were quicker in transition, leading to better shot opportunities and easier layups.
• At halftime, I challenged the boys to come out with more aggression, lift the intensity at both ends and treat the third quarter like it was the first. They responded brilliantly. We came out with renewed energy — everyone ran harder, moved the ball faster, and executed a strong transition offence. We won the third quarter 23–16.
• Across the second half, we started to look more like a team. We limited the over-dribbling, looked for the extra pass, and pushed the pace offensively.
• Benji and Ethan Harders both finished with 20 points, leading the way on the scoreboard.
• Josh Welsh was once again rock-solid in the rebounding department and James Reid delivered a well-rounded performance on both ends of the court.
• Luke Dropulich’s off-the-ball efforts can’t go unnoticed either — he was consistently one of the first players to the loose ball, setting the tone with his hustle.
• A cheeky moment from me — I called a timeout in the final moments to try and draw up a play for Benji, our 100-gamer. The setup looked great, but we just fell short of getting the ball to him for a fitting finish.
• On to the next game. We can hold our heads high — we’re continuing to show the signs of becoming a great team.