The Brydens Sydney Uni Flames take on the Adelaide Lightning as part of Round 4 WNBL action on Saturday afternoon, and the Flames will be celebrating two very important milestones.
Flames veteran forward Lauren King will play her 250th WNBL game, while Head Coach Karen Dalton will coach her 300th game of basketball in Australia’s premier national women’s league.
King, who signed a new two year contract with the Flames in the most recent off-season, spoke of her excitement in playing her 250th game in the WNBL this Saturday.
“I haven’t really thought about this type of stuff (playing 250 games), but getting there is a great feeling and I can’t wait until Saturday,” said King.
The 29 year old former Ballina junior association representative will play her milestone game against Adelaide, the club that she and Flames team mate Renae Camino played for in their 2008 WNBL Championship triumph over Sydney Uni.
“You obviously play in the WNBL to win Championships, and I did that with Renae in Adelaide a few seasons ago. I’ve also made soo many great friends along the way.”
King’s Coach, Karen Dalton, spoke of her admiration for one of the more versatile positional players in the WNBL saying “Lauren has been a great player for the league and for the Flames for a number of years.”
On her own achievement – she has coached 300 games for the Flames in the WNBL since taking the head role in 2001 – Dalton is pleased with the milestone, but as usual her focus is on winning this weekend’s game.
“It’s a good achievement, but it’s important that we celebrate this weekend’s milestones with a win against Adelaide,” said Dalton.
The 2-2 Lightning will head to Brydens Stadium with confidence after they defeated Logan by 15 points on Saturday.
Adelaide possess a number of experienced players, including no less than five Olympians – although Jo Hill will play no part in Saturday’s game due to injury.
The Flames will be wary of Jess Foley’s shooting and tough forward Laura Hodges who led the way for her team against Logan with 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists, doing her damage at an incredible 80 per cent from the field.
Dalton has asked her team to this week focus on fine-tuning the basics, including rebounding.
“We didn’t rebound well last week,” explains Dalton who watched on as her team was defeated by the current WNBL Champions – Bendigo – on Friday night.
“If we can improve in this area then it will allow our offensive game to flow.”
Come along and celebrate the milestones of Lauren King and Karen Dalton on Saturday afternoon at Brydens Stadium, Sydney Uni Sports & Aquatic Centre. Tip-off is at 3pm, and all tickets can be purchased online by clicking here or at the door from 2pm onwards on Saturday.
The Flames will also be celebrating ‘Association Day’. The Flames are encouraging their supporters to wear their local Club or Association singlet to this Saturday’s game for the chance to win a Brydens Sydney Uni Flames clinic.
Food and drinks will be available at the brand new Katering Courtside Bar.