Lady Supercats face tough test
LADY Supercats coach David Herbert says tonight’s SEABL women’s home game against Launceston will provide the litmus test for his side.
The Supercats have won their past three on the trot with the inclusions of Ellen Kett, Alex Bunton and Sara Blicavs proving timely.
But Launceston, on top of the South Conference table, will provide the Supercats their biggest task to date.
“It’ll tell us exactly where we’re at,” Herbert said.
“Launceston are playing well. Tayla Roberts is in terrific form, Lauren Mansfield, they’re seasoned players, so we’re really excited about the challenge ahead.
“We’re struggling a little injury-wise, so I don’t know that I’ve got a full list yet, but we’re obviously playing well and getting an identity about how we’re playing.”
Isabella Brancatisano and Alex Duck are carrying minor injuries and may be rested this weekend, with the Supercats also set to face Canberra in Canberra on Saturday night. “We’ve off-loaded this week; we haven’t trained as hard as what we have been,” Herbert said.
“Obviously it’s about managing the group and making sure we’re ready to play. It’s been a lighter week for us so hopefully that allows us to be ready for the upcoming games.”
The Supercats are coming off a thumping 26-point win over Bendigo in which Blicavs logged 38 points, including five treys, as SEABL player of the round.
“The interesting thing is she’s taking less shots this year — far more efficient — but she’s taking the right ones and it’s making the world of difference to her game,” Herbert said. “I think that’s one thing with her, looking towards Tokyo (Olympics, 2020) and the Opals team, if she gets that rival as early as the third round, where he’s been bundled out in both the past two years.
Australia’s top two women, world No. 24 Samantha Stosur and the 25th-ranked Daria Gavrilova, will also be sweating on tonight’s draw in Paris.
The absence of pregnant world No. 2 and reigning right I think she’s well on the path to a ticket to Tokyo.”
Kett was also instrumental, producing eight score assists.
“Ellen has been a fantastic addition,” Herbert said.
“She brings a lot of smarts off the bench; I’ve been rapt with her performances so far. She’s certainly made a statement, she’s more than capable of playing and I’ve been really pleased with her.
“She has great vision, she shoots the ball well, she defends well — you can’t ask for much more than that.”
Herbert said his side had shown signs it had started to click.
“There were patches of really good basketball against Bendigo — I think they were on top (of the ladder),” he said.
“If we can extend those patches and not be as inconsistent, I think we can go another step for sure.’’ Australian Open champion Serena Williams has elevated the Aussie duo one spot each, with Gavrilova seeded in Paris for the first time after her run to last week’s Rome quarters. Kyrgios will enter the second slam of the year having contested just five claycourt matches.
The French Open starts on Sunday.