Ashley Gayle has been in dominant form for the Wildcats
In last Sunday’s Women’s Basketball Championship (WBC) clash, played at Dunedin’s Edgar Centre against the Otago Gold Rush, Alloyfold Canterbury Wildcats centre Ashley Gayle was carried from the court early in the third quarter.
An initial suspected achilles injury was examined by Crusaders team doctor Deb Robinson, and Gayle was found to have sustained ligament damage only, to her right ankle.
The 6’4” American Gayle is now focused solely on her rehab plan, while her participation in the WBC finals tournament next month remains uncertain. She continues in her community coaching roles around the province.
Gayle’s team won the fixture 59-57 on two clutch free-throws by Tall Fern trialist Terai Sadler with just 4 seconds on the clock. Behind by as many as 13 points in the fourth quarter, with veteran Sally Farmer playing the centre position in Gayle’s absence, the Canterbury women were able to keep their composure, posting a 21-7 fourth quarter to snatch victory.
The Alloyfold Canterbury Wildcats remain unbeaten and alone at the top of the WBC table heading into finals weekend scheduled for 12-14 May in Porirua.
WBC Top 6 Standings ahead of championship play-offs:
9-0 Canterbury Wildcats.
7-2 ACM Lady Hawks.
7-2 Otago.
6-3 Waitakere Lady Rangers, Waikato Wizards
LACEY LOWDOWN 