LACEY LOWDOWN

Having, for now at least, missed out on a shot at the WNBA after being released by the Dallas Wings Kalani Purcell has linked up with her sister Natalie Taylor in Brisbane to play in the Queensland Basketball League (QBL).

Purcell eased in gently playing just 10 minutes for Brisbane Spartans at the weekend hoovering up 9 rebounds in that time to go with 4 assists and 4 points. The Spartans beat Cairns Dolphins 80-58 with Natalie Taylor contributing 5 points and 6 rebounds.

Also in the QBL Micaela Cocks (12pts/7rebs/5assists) and Chevannah Paalvast (8pts/5rebs) made significant contributions as Mackay Meteorettes beat Townsville Flames 84-68 to move to the same 3-0 record as the Spartans.

Perry Lakes Hawks recorded a commanding 82-62 victory against Mandurah Magic in the Western Australia State League (SBL). The two teams were the only unbeaten teams in the SBL heading into Friday’s encounter but the Hawks were in control throughout.

Toni Edmondson only put up four shots in the game converting twice to finish with 5 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists.

Twenty four hours later the Hawks recorded a 10^th straight win thumping East Perth Eagles 80-45 with Edmondson making 3 points and adding 4 rebounds.

Another team with a 10-0 record are the Kennedy Kereama coached Sunbury Jets.

In the latest round of Big V action Sunbury beat Eltham Wildcats 81-65. Josie Stockill got her claws into the Wildcats to the tune of 16 points (7/11FG) and 4 rebounds.

Also in Melbourne Jess Bygate had 8 points and 4 rebounds but Sandringham Sabres were well beaten 74-53 at home against Kilsyth Cobras in the SEABL competition.

Most of the Kiwis mentioned above will be heading for Auckland after Queens Birthday weekend for the Tall Ferns trial.

Good news that Tall Fern Kalani Purcell has been signed to a training camp contract with WNBA franchise Dallas Wings.

“We look forward to Kalani and Kelsey joining a highly competitive training camp,” Wings President and Chief Executive Officer Greg Bibb stated. “We are excited to open camp on April 23 with a deep and talented roster.”

It is unclear how long the contract is for but it could be anticipated that it is at least until the Wings tip-off their regular season home opener on May 20 against three-time WNBA champions Minnesota Lynx – hopefully longer.

Purcell’s addition takes the Wings current roster, including Australian guard Erin Phillips, to 18 players – this number has to be eventually trimmed to 12.

Purcell, a 6-2 forward, joins the Wings after a stellar career at BYU Provo. In her two seasons with the Cougars she was named to the All-West Coast Conference First Team (2016 & 2017) where she ranked as the top rebounder.

A transfer from Hutchinson Community College, Purcell became BYU’s single-season record holder in total rebounds with 416 boards (12.6 average), and was named 2015-16 WCC Newcomer of the Year. This past season she once again led the Cougars and the conference in rebounds and finished her senior campaign averaging 12.7 points per game and 10.5 rebounds per contest, earning the 2016-17 WCC Women’s Basketball Defensive Player of the Year award.

Good news also for Jillian Harmon in Europe. Her club Le Mura Lucca eased past Venezia in the opening game of the Italian League semi-final series. The teams won one game apiece when they met in the regular season but Lucca drew first blood in the best of three series winning 77-61 on Easter Monday to move within one victory of a return to the grand final.

Harmon led all scorers with 19 points (6/9Fg, 7/9FT) and added 7 rebounds and an assist for good measure.

Our two Tall Ferns playing in Europe enjoyed mixed fortunes in recent play-off action.

Erin Rooney photo courtesy of Sandra Kochmanska

Erin Rooney’s club Artego Bydgoszcz was defeated 3-1 in the best of five semi-final series against Wisla Can in the Polish League play-off’s. Artego won the first game 68-65 but were beaten 81-66 in the second encounter, 68-63 in game three and 68-60 in the eliminator.

The Cantabrian guard averaged 18 minutes, 4 points, 3 rebounds and two assists across the four games.

Normally you would expect the season to be over following a play-off defeat but unusually Artego will play a 3^rd/4^th series against the other semi-final losers CCC Polkowice.

There was no such trouble for Jillian Harmon, the other Tall Fern playing in Europe. Her club Le Mura Lucca easily accounted for Pallacanestro Broni in the best of three Italian League quarter-final series. Lucca won 2-0 on the back of 69-39 and 85-35 score lines more reminiscent of a rep game mismatch than those normally associated with the professional game.

Harmon top scored with 16 points in the second game – Lucca now moving on to face Venezia in the semi-final series. The teams won one game apiece when they met in the regular season.