Basketball On The Internet.

IT should not take too long, given the NBL season tips off on Thursday, but Ayinde Ubaka will be slotting into the spot vacated by Stephen Dennis when he ruptured an Achilles tendon last week.

Of course it makes perfect sense for the Tigers considering Chewy already knows his way around Melbourne, gets along with those teammates still there from his previous stint and it gives him a chance to again show his wares in our league.

From what Melbourne coach Chris Anstey had to say about Dennis last week (check it out here if you missed it: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/basketball/nine-days-of-hell8217-for-tigers-as-import-steve-dennis-is-ruled-out-for-the-year/story-fnii0am9-1226730914945 ) the odds are the Tigers will want him back for 2014-15 if his rehab gets him back to anywhere near where he was before the tragic training accident.

This was how Ubaka’s imminent return was reported yesterday at News Ltd: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/basketball/melbourne-tigers-likely-to-recruit-former-player-ayinde-ubaka-to-replace-stephen-dennis/story-fnii0am9-1226733381937

WNBL ROUND 1 REVIEWS

Fire v Spirit

BENDIGO looked to assert itself early but Fire warden Chris Lucas was rapt when his gals went on an 18-0 second-quarter tear which included “nine or 10 consecutive stops”.

Steph Cumming had a fine Fire debut with 17 points and The Batgirl, while unhappy with her own game, still gave Townsville 12 points, nine rebounds, five assists and four blocks.

Micaela Cocks added 13 points, Rachael McCully and Kayla Standish with 10 apiece.

Spirit centre Gabe Richards confirmed yet again she is now amid the league’s elite with 21 points, 16 rebounds, new Opals guard Kelly Wilson adding a nice line of her own with 15 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.

Capitals v Flames

An 11-0 start by Sydney and a career-best 29 points by Katie-Rae Ebzery – yes 29 there Lori, not 28 … and welcome back ABC-TV – left the Caps in a game of catch-up which they never did.

Canberra was unable to make much use of its height advantage, Abby Bishop, Carley Mijovic and Alex Bunton a combined 14-of-37 around the basket as the Flames battled to keep them harassed.

Alicia Poto and Casey Samuels, two Flames at the opposite ends of their careers, scored 18 and 13 respectively while Jessica Bibby led the Capitals with 22.

The 83-68 scoreline was a fairly accurate story of how the game evolved.

Lightning v Waves

Adelaide crashed on the Waves after having the game seemingly in its keeping when ahead 50-39.

But Toni Edmondson, Deanna Smith, Darcee Garbin and important moments from Melissa Marsh, Lisa Wallbutton – and a game-winning bucket by Shani Amos – ensured it was West Coast leaving Adelaide with a spring in their step.

The 69-65 win was fashioned out of some good old determination, Adelaide hurt by losing Jo Hill in only the first quarter to a cracked rib, and having both its bigs – Zee Stewart and Nads Payne – being used as voodoo dolls by the officiating crew.

If you didn’t see the game but saw Australia lose to France at the Olympics last year, it was a lot like that. Without the overtime. And without the Belinda Snell shot. Though Edmondson’s heave to end the first half was close.

Edmondson had 17 points and Doccy 14, Laura Hodges leading the Lightning with 17 points and 11 boards.

Rangers v Thunder

Alice Kunek continued her blossoming in Dandenong’s green ‘n’ gold with 29 points at 73 per cent and 10 rebounds but it was “welcome home Jenna”.

O’Hea had 29 points herself, with nine boards and five assists, her little 16-point solo in the third quarter setting up the victory over a gallant opponent.

Thunder import Laurie Koehn was on fire for a round-best 32 points at 65 per cent as Logan gave the game a real crack.

Leilani Mitchell had eight assists in her Rangers debut, but did not score a basket in the 103-91 win.

Ruth Riley was nowhere to be seen.

Boomers v Flames

As predicted, there will be nights Sydney is very good. And there will be other nights.

Melbourne launched its new name with a 72-66 victory, Tess Madgen leading the way with 20 points.

Chelsea Poppens helped the medicine go down with 18 points and Rebecca Allen snaffled 11 rebounds with her 14 points.

For the Flames, Ebzery had a further 14 points, including a triple which cut the margin to one during the third term.

But superstar Ro Cox was the Sydney standout with a 21-point, 10-rebound double.

BIGGEST WINNERS/LOSERS

IT was tough to split Melbourne and West Coast but, considering the Waves won in Adelaide while the Boomers won at home against a Sydney playing its second game of the round, the big winner of the weekend was Kennedy Kereama’s outfit.

They lost to Adelaide by some 37 points last time they splashed into the Arena last season, so to win by four gives them a wonderful launch-pad into 2013-14.

In contrast then, of course, Adelaide was the round’s biggest loser, narrowly from Canberra.

Both teams lost at home but the Caps didn’t lose to the team almost universally picked to finish ninth. Adelaide did.

From 11 up. And now it faces Bendigo in Bendigo. How badly will this defeat sting?