The Southern Design Sydney Uni Flames will be keen to get their 2012/13 WNBL season off to a winning start when they come up against the Canberra Capitals at 7pm on Saturday October 6 at the Sydney Uni Sports & Aquatic Centre (SUSAC).
Coming off a positive pre season tournament, where the Flames won one from three games in Melbourne last weekend, the girls from Sydney can’t wait to open the season in the round one fixture against the Capitals.
Flames guard Katie Rae Ebzery will be hoping to continue her good pre-season form after a confidence boosting run of three games that included 17, 15 and 12 point hauls and a remarkable seven rebounds in their defeat of Logan.
Also impressing in the pre-season has been veteran guard Alicia Poto and Flames new girl Sarah Graham. Both girls are looking incredibly sharp in 2012.
Second year Flames representatives Ellyce Ironmonger and Lauren King will be looking to pick up where they left off last season, while fellow bigs Ellie Manou, Tayla Roberts and Michelle Joy will no doubt step up and contribute offensively in an attempt to take the pressure off their guards.
Flames debutant Tayla Roberts will be a welcome addition to the Flames line-up after missing the pre-season tournament due to illness, while US import April Sykes will be absent due to her WNBA finals commitments with the LA Sparks.
While the Flames possess plenty of scoring potency, it will be the effectiveness of the work that they do without the ball that will more than likely decide the result of the game.
The Flames will need to concentrate on their defensive transition and limit the amount of ball that star shooter Jessica Bibby has on the night.
The Capitals guard had a very strong pre-season tournament, scoring 21, 16 and 25 points in the Capitals one win and two losses in Melbourne.
Missing for Canberra is Opals super star Lauren Jackson who is currently competing in the WNBA Finals, but expect forwards Samantha Norwood (two double doubles in pre-season tournament) and Brigette Ardossi (who also scored well in the pre season tournament and is a strong rebounder) to step up in her absence.
Tickets to the Flames first home game of the WNBL season can be bought on the game night on Saturday October 6 at 7pm at the Sydney Uni Sports & Aquatic Centre, or accessed online by clicking here.
Earlier in the day Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness (SUSF) will be holding its annual free Family Open Day, also staged at the Sports & Aquatic Centre. All spectators who attend the Family Open Day and stay to watch the Flames will be able to purchase special half price Flames tickets for just $5 on the night.
For more information on the SUSF free Family Open Day, please click here.
