Hobart lands SEABL champ

HOBART will welcome back SEABL championship star Klara Wischer next year.

She is returning to the club after a two-year stint in Western Australia.

Wischer, who played with the Lady Chargers in 2014 and ’15 and was an integral part of the side’s breakthrough South Conference championship win in her first season will reunite with American Kathleen Scheer, who will return for a sixth stint in the state.

The addition of Wischer, 26, gives coach Dwain Davie increased flexibility.

Wischer is not only able to play in several attacking positions but also has the ability to defend both tall and small opposition players.

She was signed by WNBL outfit Perth at the end of the 2015 season, where she appeared in 21 games as the Lynx reached the grand final series.

She has spent the past two years also playing for the Joondalup Wolves in the State Basketball League, producing two outstanding campaigns.

The 185cm small forward was named as an SBL All-Star in both seasons, while last year she made the All-Star five and was also crowned SBL All-Star game MVP.

“She is looking to make a move back east and it just so happened we connected at the right time,” Davie said.

“She is a player we have kept our eye on the last couple of years and it so happened it has worked out well.

“From a positional standpoint she gives us that flexibility ... in that she can play anywhere from the two through to the five.

“From a defensive standpoint she is able to defend the taller, mobile, inside-outside player as well as defend the bigger-bodied guards who can shoot and get to the basket.

“Both of those areas we really had trouble with this season and we see her as someone who can defend those two positions.”

Davie also confirmed a contract has been sent to the manager of Alex Ciabattoni, who after an impressive 2017 season with Hobart was signed by Perth.

Should Ciabattoni accept it will complete the additions for the women, meaning Mikaela Ruef will not be returning after joining midway through this year.