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LMAO: Lightning strike, but it's not all PC
TweetLADIES, Men, Athletes, Others: WNBL imports Kathleen Scheer (Sydney) and Natalie Novosel (Dandenong) both will be back in action this season but at a new destination, joining rookie coach Jeremi Moule at a vastly retooled Adelaide Lightning.
A Duke University graduate like her new teammate Jessica Foley, Scheer delivered 8.7ppg at 47 per cent for the Flames in 2013-14, along with 3.5 rebounds in about 17 minutes.
She scored a season-high 20 points against Dandenong.
Currently in the SEABL, Scheer, 24 and 187cm, is averaging 20.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3 assists per game for Hobart Chargers.
“Kathleen has had two seasons in the SEABL and one in the WNBL and proven that she can play a valuable role at the WNBL level,” Moule said.
“I think that her style of play will suit the team and her ability to rebound strongly and shoot the three will be great strengths.”
Novosel, 24 and 180cm, has played WNBA with Washington Mystics after a storied college career at Notre Dame which saw her represent the USA at the 2011 World University Games.
With Dandenong Rangers last season, she averaged 9.9ppg at 49.7 per cent, with 2.0 assists and 3.6 boards.
Playing in the SA State League under Moule at Sturt Sabres, she has been producing 20.4 points, 4.3 assists and 8 rebounds.
“Natalie will add some dynamic scoring ability to our guards. She's fantastic in the open court, creative off the dribble and a really good finisher,” Moule said.
"There's great value in having guards who can create their own shot and finish in a variety of ways and, along with Jess Foley and Angela Marino, we're building a strong guard rotation.”
Lightning now have locked away eight roster spots with Alex Bunton, Jess Foley, Laura Hodges, Emma Langford, Angela Marino, Carley Mijovic, Natalie Novosel and Kathleen Scheer.
The club certainly has undergone a facelift.
Moule, who most recently cut his teeth in the WNBL’s most successful program at Bendigo Spirit, will make his big league coaching debut in the same environment.
The WNBL has announced its “Spring Shield” PreSeason Tournament will be held in Bendigo from October 10-12.
EXPECT the Adelaide 36ers to soon announce they have signed 2012 London Olympian and Boomers swingman Peter Crawford for their 2014-15 NBL campaign.
Crawford will be a huge upgrade on import Jarrid Frye who fizzled in-season after sizzling in the preseason and was cut to bring in Rhys Carter.
Even in a back-up role, PC brings athleticism and smarts, averaging 13.0ppg at 47 per cent, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists across a 460-game career which included selection in Townsville Crocodiles’ 20th Anniversary Team.
The recruitment of Crawford, 34, strongly indicates the Sixers will be making a run at the Championship in a team being built for now more than for tomorrow.
The club reputedly also is in negotiations with former Cairns Taipans import Jamar Wilson to try and bring the 30-year-old New Yorker to Adelaide.
Wilson is expected to replace another New York playmaker Gary Ervin, also 30.
A year after Ervin won the NBL's MVP award and in his debut season with Cairns Taipans, Wilson finished runner-up to Perth's Kevin Lisch as the 2012 league MVP.
Last season Wilson always appeared to have Ervin’s number, averaging 17.5 points at 51 per cent, 3.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds in four games against Ervin, who averaged 10.2 points at 30 per cent, with 4.3 assists and 3.3 boards in reply.
Potentially, that makes the 36ers (so far), Adam Gibson, Brendan Teys, Peter Crawford, Mitch Creek, Anthony Petrie, BJ Anthony, Luke Schenscher and Jamar Wilson (if negotiations conclude successfully), with Daniel Johnson's future still up in the air and a second import spot also there for the taking.
BASKETBALL Australia tomorrow will try again to influence the SEABL to hand over its reins when the federation meets with the various club presidents.
While there is no vote on a decision to surrender control of the longest-running and most successful interstate basketball competition in Australia expected tomorrow, it is clear BA wants to pummel (sledgehammer in a velvet glove, of course) its proposal directly to the presidents for fear its message is not being brought back strongly enough by SEABL club delegates.
Wow.
Talk about a straw-clutch.
Hear BA out, by all means. But stay true to the principles on which your league was founded.
At the end of the rhetoric, the evidence of BA’s stark inability to administer home/away weekly interstate competitions is right there for all to see.
Talk to the NBL.
Or a random WNBL delegate.
THERE have been a few great stories about lately – as you might expect – about Patty Mills and his NBA success with the San Antonio Spurs.
Here’s a couple of links to stories I really enjoyed. You may too. Or not.
THE Free Throw Foundation today announced the second release of funding for the SA Basketball community through its “Assist Program”.
“The Assist Program has been designed as part of our overall strategy to help young people stay in our sport of basketball,” Free Throw Foundation Chairman David Spear said today.
“It continues to be apparent to the board that the need for financial assistance is clearly there for young talented basketballers in South Australia.
“Our goal is to find those in need and help them achieve their goals and dreams no matter to what level of play they aspire.
“This is the second round of funding from the program and we will be as always, endeavoring to evaluate fairly.
“The funds are a direct result of our events, our wonderful partner Farmers Union and fundraising activities so far and are going directly back into the basketball community.
“We will follow a strict process of good corporate governance in the review of applicants to ensure we get the right outcomes.”
Application forms can be downloaded from the website www.freethrowfoundation.com.au and will be distributed by Basketball SA to the stakeholders throughout South Australia.
FOR those who were here yesterday for my interview with new Sydney Kings coach Damian Cotter, here's a tidbit I overlooked.
Cotter's Victorian team which won the Australian Under-20 Championship in 2003 included one Andrew Bogut, The Pirate himself - Brad Robbins, and the much-travelled Rhys Carter.
TOMORROW: Hawks coach Gordon McLeod on the exciting new developments in Wollongong, Rotnei Clarke and a few other things.
