The Lakes Entrance Pelicans ladies’ team faced a daunting task last Saturday night, hosting reigning premier Korumburra in round one of the Country Basketball League.
The Pelicans, under new coach, Kaylah Dunstan, were up against a tall and tough Korumburra side and were quickly under the pump, the Wildcats running out 80-point winners, 115-35.
Despite the result it was great to see a huge crowd fill the Lakes Youth and Recreation Centre to spur on the home side.
With a significant height advantage, Korumburra got off to a good start getting a 9-0 lead early before Olivia Borley (three points) got the Pelicans on the board.
With only eight players suiting up for the Pelicans, two early fouls to both Emma Wolffenbuttel (three) and Natalie Bire (10) caused some concern, as the Wildcats led 17-9 at the quarter time break, the late fightback pleasing coach Kayla Dunstan (10).
The Pelicans opened with the same intensity in the second quarter, Wolfenbuttel scoring early before the squad’s tallest player, Mehegan Mehegan picked up three quick fouls, sending her to the bench for a rest, allowing the Wildcats talls to run rampant.
They scored 27-9 for the term to open up a 26-point buffer by half time, Chloe Ogilvy (16), Willow Butinar (16), Alahna Arnason (37) and Chloe Hogg (18) all unstoppable.
With momentum and confidence high, Korumburra continued its domination in the second half, scoring 71 points to just 17 as the Pelicans continued to battle foul trouble.
Arnason was outstanding in all aspects of the game, while Ogilvy was deadly from the three-point range, nailing four.
Dunstan continued to ask her side for ultimate effort and to play hard, which they did, resulting in three players fouling out in the final term.
Despite that there were still plenty of positives including Mia Fielden (7), finding her range in the final term.
Coach Dunstan was upbeat post game, looking forward to what the remainder of the season may bring.
“Despite the scoreline, I was super happy with the efforts, with many positives coming from the game – bring on Morwell,” Dunstan said.
The Pelicans will play Morwell this Saturday night at the Latrobe Leisure Centre in Morwell at 6pm.
