By Tara Murray
It was a weekend of challenges for Keilor Thunder in the National Basketball League 1 south women’s competition, but it ended on a winning note.
The Thunder were without Maddy Rocci and Issie Bourne for the weekend double due to Australian Opals commitments.
With Penina Davidson not joining the side until May, and Tayah Burrows out injured, the side was without four WNBL players.
For coach Kristi Harrower it was a chance to give some of those other players in the squad some bigger minutes.
“It was tough losing two players who have been scoring between 50 and 60 points for us,” she said.
“It was a tough game against Dandenong and we didn’t play well. Dandenong is a quality side with players in the WNBL.
“I was very proud of the girls come back from Friday night and put out a team effort on today [Sunday].”
In the Thunder’s first match of the weekend double, it lost to the Rangers, 96-53. Isobelle Weightman top scored with 14 points.
Harrower said with some of those stars likely to miss other games throughout the season, they need the other players to step up.
She said being able to come away with a 55-54 win against the Frankston Blues would give those who played a big confidence boost.
“The pleasing thing was that we struggled offensively, but our defensive level was up and that was what we wanted.
“They did a great job defensively. Caitlyn [Peterson] and Macey [Boyle] and now adding Lily Carmody to the group we have a group of elite defensive players.
“They do the hard stuff and it makes a difference.”
Carmody stepped off a plane on Saturday to reunite with the Thunder.
Harrower said they were happy to have her back.
“Last year she found her home at Keilor,” she said. “In the end she didn’t want to go to college after a great season.
“We told her to just go and the door is always open to come back. She made that decision to come home and play with us.”
The Thunder sit 4-1 after the first three rounds.
Harrower said with a lot of unknown to come during the season in terms of player availability getting wins on the board early where important.
“Whether we win with them or without [Rocci and Bourne],” she said. “Last season we wanted to finish top two, this year I’m happy to be anywhere from top two to top four.”
Meanwhile, the Thunder men lost to the Rangers 111-103 on Friday night, while they beat Frankston, 87-84.
