Dolphins kick in QBL
DOLPHINS coach Val Nancarrow is far from dispirited with her team, despite its pair of losses in the opening round of the Queensland Basketball League.
The Dolphins lost to northern division women’s powerhouses Townsville and Mackay at the weekend, but Nancarrow was happy with the overall effort, hoping her players’ exposure to some of the best in the competition would make them realise the level they needed to be at to be competitive.
"I think it’s a lot of the girls getting used to the way I coach and the way I like to do things on-court," former WNBL guard Nancarrow said.
Given their limited pre-season, the players are likely to take some time to adjust to their new coach and her defence-oriented game plan but they seemed to be quick learners with Nancarrow particularly pleased with their efforts in the second game of the weekend against Mackay.
After an 82-44 loss to perennial powerhouse Townsville on Friday night, the Dolphins lined up against a Mackay side boosted by former Dolphin and Olympian Rohanee Cox.
Nancarrow said Cox’s presence seemed to spur the Dolphins to prove they could compete with the best and while they lost 81-57, Nancarrow was impressed with the girls’ effort.
Ashley North was magnificent against Cox,the WNBL’s most valuable player this season, posting a team-high 25 points, not far short of Cox’s 30-point effort.
Mackay boasts a cluster of stars this season with Cox joined by Canberra Capitals centre Marianna Tolo and former WNBL player Fiona McGrath.
But the Dolphins were not daunted with teenager Teyla Evans showing her talent with her effort on Tolo.
"She was one of my big stars of the game," Nancarrow said.
"She just stepped up to the plate – everybody did."
Nancarrow hoped the showing would encourage the Dolphins to play with such determination every week.
"They have the potential," she said. "After the game, I said, ‘this is the start and this is us moving up’.
"I actually think really highly of this team."
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