Flames crash in semifinal

Game one of the women’s State basketball semifinals got off to a terrible start for the Rockingham Flames last Friday, as the two-time defending champions crashed to a 23-point loss to the Willetton Tigers 82-59.

The two had previously met in the 2015 grand final and appeared on a collision course throughout 2016, having finished second and third respectively in the regular season.

Willetton dominated from start to finish at Mike Barnett Sport Complex on Friday night, with the one-sided nature a real surprise as the Flames hadn’t lost a single playoff game since game three of the 2013 semifinals.

Willetton had opened up an eight-point lead by quarter-time and that grew to 16 just before half-time, with Rockingham only getting back within seven at the break through consecutive threes to Ashlee Sidebottom.

Any hope the Flames had of turning the momentum disappeared in the third quarter as the Tigers took back control and never looked like surrendering the advantage, scoring 45 second-half points to 29 to win by 23 points.

Only twice during the season did the Flames score fewer than 59 points, in losses to Joondalup and Willetton when Darcee Garbin and Ifunanya Ibekwe were missing in both, and Sami Whitcomb was out against the Tigers.

Willetton’s pressure and intensity all over the court was outstanding, in particular the defence of Louella Tomlinson on Garbin, and both Ebony Antonio and Lara Napier on Whitcomb.

Willetton shot well at 35-of-75 from the floor at 46 per cent while Rockingham struggled with 21-of-72 at 29 per cent from the field and seven-of-25 at 28 per cent from beyond the arc.

Kate Malpass was clearly motivated to make a statement for the Tigers and she was outstanding, delivering 28 points, five rebounds and five assists to lead her team admirably.

It was the depth of contributors that shone for Willetton.

Desiree Kelley finished with 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals; Tomlinson had 12 points, 10 boards, four assists and three blocks; Antonio had 10 points and nine rebounds; and Zoe Harper had eight points and 10 boards.

Ibekwe ended up top-scoring for the Flames with 19 points, 12 rebounds and three assists, while Whitcomb was put under enormous pressure every time she had ball in hand, but still had 15 points and six assists on shooting five-of-16 from the field.

Garbin added 10 points and nine rebounds for Rockingham and Sidebottom 10 points.

Game two will take place this Friday night at Willetton Basketball Stadium.

If the Tigers win, they will advance to the grand final, while a win for the Flames will force a game three decider on Saturday.