SHOOTING STAR IS BACK AT LIGHTNING
Captain returns to two-time reigning title winners
LIGHTNING women’s coach Jason Ivinson believes his side is eager to get back on the court and defend its title in the upcoming 2020 DBA Championship Women’s League.
The team found plenty of success in 2019, beating the previously indomitable Tracy Village in both the Challenge and Championship season finals.
They were also building towards another strong campaign in the 2019-20 Challenge, sitting second on the table behind Jets when the season came to an end due to COVID-19.
Now, after a couple of months away from the game, the side will get another chance at the trophy.
“The girls enjoyed winning and they are hungry to get back out there to get that chance again,” Ivinson told the Sunday Territorian.
“They were sad that we didn’t get to play all of last season as we felt like we were in good form as we were reaching finals.
“But this is the big dance and the season that everyone plays for and everyone strives to win. So this will be a competitive season with everyone getting stronger.”
Lightning will welcome back Claire Maree O’Bryan, the 2019 Championship MVP, who will slot right back in as captain after missing the Challenge season.
Hannah Turnbull will also make a return to the side after devoting her time last season to captaining the
Nightcliff Tigers in the
NTFL.
Young standouts Dominique Carbone and April Rummery Lamb are also expected to put on a show after performing well for Lightning over the past couple of seasons.
“They’re looking forward to the season and it will be good to see who has been training during the lockdown,” Ivinson said.
“I’ve posted some drills online but I’ve mainly left the training side of things up to them over the past couple of months.
“But we’re lucky to have three Sundays training together before the season starts.
“The first couple of weeks will be interesting as teams get their competitive edge back.
“And we would like to think that we will be in that upper echelon again.”
The 2020 DBA Championship season will begin on June 8.