It was a tough weekend for the Lakes Entrance Pelicans ladies’ Gippsland Country Basketball League team with a double header against Maffra and Wonthaggi, and although both were defeats, the girls are showing some significant improvement.
On Saturday night the Pelicans hit the road to take on the Maffra Eagles and were competitive in the middle two quarters, eventually going down by 32 points, 70-38.
As the new-look Pelicans outfit find their feet, the games are beginning to have some significant highlights.
Although Lakes Entrance trailed by eight points at quarter time, it was great to see Mia Fielden open the game with a three pointer while Alissah Edwards in her Country Basketball League debut opened with a nice little two pointer.
A strong second quarter efforts saw the Eagles keep to just 18 points as the Pelicans impressed scoring 15 of their own, with Kaylah Dunstan (14 points) scoring 10 of those.
The Eagles got good contributions from Sophie Little (14), Emerson Connolly (12) and Breanna Royal (10).
Another competitive third term saw the Pelicans trailing by just 16 points at three quarter time with Makayla Grabham (10) opening her account with a couple three pointers. She was also making her debut for the Pelicans.
The Eagles turned it on in the last quarter, outscoring the Pelicans 20 to four as their three-point shooters found their range.
Lakes Entrance, having worked so hard in the final two stanzas, was left powerless.
The Pelicans backed up on
Sunday against the Coasters and the signs were good early, restricting Wonthaggi to just 14 points and only trailing by nine points at the first break, with Dunstan (8), Kelly Poynton (7) and Mariah Kelly (6) all up and about early.
The Coasters upped the tempo in the second quarter, getting on several runs where they dominated play and the scoring, extending the half time margin to 35 points.
Amy Scott (21), Tiarnie Ellingworth (19), Grace McRae (16) and Ruby Morris (10) all scored with ease.
Lakes Entrance’s defence tightened up in the second half and it was more consistent and effective in offence, the lead out to 46 by three quarter time before the sides traded baskets in an entertaining final term, scoring 17 points apiece.
The ladies’ next match is at Moe against the Meteors on Sunday, November 17 at 11am.
