Sirens Extinguish Fire
Tagged in: Tall Ferns
Christchurch Press
The Christchurch Sirens cannot make the play-offs of the Australian Defence Force WNBL, but they can play party-pooper on others like they did last night, dousing the Townsville Fire 63-55.
The Cowles curse struck teams visiting Christchurch again, with Townsville becoming the seventh side to lose at the stadium from eight matches at the venue.
Townsville had twice beaten the Sirens by over 20 points, the first in the season opener at Westpac Centre and the second just before the Christmas break at home.
But that counted for nought as the Sirens shut down Townsville’s attack. Coach Leigh Gooding was delighted at the performance.
“These guys only lost by one to the leader Adelaide last week, they are a good side. But we kept them under 65 as we needed to and nullified their support players.
“The girls just seem to believe in themselves here and have a confidence that doesn’t always appear on the road. But that will come with experience.”
Point guard Noni Wharemate more than justified her elevation to the starting five with a stellar showing of 18 points, six rebounds and shutting down her opposite Kelly Wilson to just three points.
Gooding said Wilson and fellow guard Tania Baxter had hurt the Sirens last month with over 30 points between them but were restricted to 10.
Townsville’s two dominant players, Australian Opal Rohanee Cox and Jennifer Crouse, were also placed under plenty of pressure. It showed on Cox making just five of 25 attempts. Containing the 1.95m Crouse was another matter as she was formidable around the hoop slotting 21 points to go alongside 18 rebounds and five blocked shots.
The win was not without some scary moments with the Sirens getting the wobbles after building a 48-34 lead early in the final quarter.
Townsville mounted a run which took it within five points 56-51 with less than three minutes remaining before Wharemate made a crucial basket and the Fire responded with low percentage shots.
Christchurch Sirens 63 (Noni Wharemate 18, Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe 13, Donna Wilkins 10) Townsville Fire 55 (Jennifer Crouse 21, Rohanee Cox 18)
