Lapses in defence a killer for Chargers

STRONGER defensive pressure is what Hobart Chargers women’s coach Dwain Davie was calling for this season, but the team couldn’t deliver last night in its opening game against Kilsyth.

During the week Davie spoke about how his side would be more defensively driven this season but last night’s 101-64 loss to Kilsyth showed the opposite.

“That is maybe the first or second time we have let a team score over 100 during my time as coach,” he said. “That’s extremely disappointing. Our defensive structure for the full four quarters wasn’t there.”

The Chargers were without new recruit Brittany Smart and the always reliable Kathleen Scheer. Last season Scheer won the SEABL defensive player of the year and her absence made a big difference.

“Missing your two imports makes it difficult,” Davie said.

The chance to give game time to local talent was a positive for Davie but he could not hide his disappointment at the loss.

Klara Wischer got the Chargers off to a great start after hitting two free throws and going down town to put the first five points on the board for her team.

But Kilsyth took control from the middle of the first quarter, with Chelsea D’Angelo dominating for the visitors.

The Cobras were in front by five points after the first quarter and by 10 points at halftime.

In the third quarter the Chargers made some crucial mistakes, allowing Kilsyth to widen the gap to 22 at the final break. D’Angelo finished with 25 points and Cobras captain Sarah Parsons scored 21 in the 37-point win.