The Southern Design Sydney Uni Flames have made their fourth re-signing for the 2012/13 WNBL season after agreeing to terms with Sydney University Elite Athlete Program (EAP) scholarship holder Katie Rae Ebzery.
Next season will be Ebzery’s (Bachelor of Education in Human Movement) third with the Flames.
Last season she averaged 10.6 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, whilst average 41.2% from the floor.
Ebzery has been playing for Newcastle in the ABA in the off season.
Flames Coach Karen Dalton was wrapped with the re-signing.
“It is great to have Katie re-sign and will be looking for her to build and improve on her 2011-12 season performance,” said Dalton.
“Katie is a great asset to have in the guard position and she constantly causes problems for the opposition teams.”
The Flames other three re-signings are Opals squad member Alicia Poto, AIS graduate Jaimee Kennedy, and 194cm centre Ellyse Ironmonger.
A product of the Basketball NSW system, last year Poto returned to Sydney following a two year stint in Europe.
Poto, an EAP scholarship holder (B. Ed (Sec) Human Movement & Health Education) finished the season with 9.5points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.
“Alicia will again bring defensive intensity to the Flames guard position with Ebzery and Kennedy,” said Dalton.
“Her years of local and international experience will be crucial in the Flames revisiting the Finals in 2012-13.”
Kennedy, in her fourth year with the Flames, has played with the club since graduating from the AIS and will return after a stint in the off-season with ABA team Hornsby Spiders.
Kennedy is also an EAP scholarship holder at Sydney University (B Education (H.M.H.E)).
“Jaimee has said that she is pleased to be back for another year and she is looking forward to supporting her teammates in the back court alongside Ebzery and Poto,” said Dalton.
Ironmonger, who played a pivotal role for the Flames with increased minutes following the season ending injury to Flames forward Eva Afeaki, has re-signed for her second year.
Last season Ironmonger averaged 5 points and 4 rebounds per game, shooting a highly respectable 45% from the floor.
“Ellyse improved with time throughout last season and we are expecting big things from her in 2012-13,” said Dalton.
“She has the size and skill to match it with the best, whilst providing a strong presence in the paint both ends of the floor.”
