The Southern Design Sydney Uni Flames have ensured that their squad will head into the 2012/13 WNBL season with plenty of form on the board after Flames players dominated the 2012 Waratah League Awards, including winning all six major female player awards.
The Waratah League, showcasing teams from all over NSW in the youth league, state league and the premier division – known as the Championship League, held a finals series last weekend in Maitland where awards were presented to the league’s most dominant players.
Playing for the Hornsby Spiders, Flames captain Alicia Poto led the way, being named 2012 MVP and an All Star Five- Guard. Joining her in the All-Star Five backcourt was Flames team mate and Newcastle Hunters representative Katie-Rae Ebzery. Fellow Flames representatives Ellyce Ironmonger (Centre) and Michelle Joy (Forward) also had strong seasons. The fifth All-Star Five award winner was Flames Academy Program member and Flames squad player Ellie Junod. Junod was also named the Australian U/21 Youth Player of the Year.
Alicia Poto proved her worth as the league’s MVP by picking up three further awards – Steals Leader, Golden Hands and Leading Three Point Percentage.
Katie-Rae Ebzery, fresh from FIBA 3×3 World Championship bronze with the national team a couple of weeks ago, was the Waratah Championship League’s Leading Point Scorer (averaging over 26 points per game) and had the Leading Free Throw Percentage for 2012.
New recruit Michelle Joy will add even more defensive strength to the Flames this season after taking home the Waratah Championship League Defensive Player of the Year award.
Former NCCA Oregon University representative Ellyce Ironmonger demonstrated her strength on the boards by being named the league’s leading rebounder.
Flames representatives were nearly as dominant in this seasons Waratah Youth League, with promising Flames squad member Chloe Dalton winning the MVP of the Year award and a position in the All-Star Five.
Flames Academy Program member Emily Potts has topped a fantastic first season of Waratah Youth League basketball winning the Rookie of the Year and an All-Star Five spot.
Topping off a sensational weekend of basketball in Maitland, fellow Flames Academy Program member Tahlia Tupaea was named MVP of the Waratah Youth League Final, as her team Penrith defeated Manly by 11 points to be crowned 2012 Champions. Tupaea had 21pts, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.
All Flames Waratah League award winners will now turn their attention to the Southern Design Sydney Uni Flames, whose first WNBL fixture of the 2012/13 season sees then come up against Canberra at the Sydney Uni Sports & Aquatic Centre (SUSAC) on Friday October 6.
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