The Southern Design Sydney Uni Flames and the Canberra Capitals will resume a long standing rivalry this Friday night at the AIS Arena, in their round five WNBL matchup.
The Flames will go into their contest with the Capitals with a great deal of confidence following the return from injury of their captain and leader Alicia Poto.
Poto, who missed last weekend’s loss to Logan, will provide the Flames with some needed leadership and experience. Fellow experienced WNBL campaigner Rohanee Cox, who made her debut for Sydney last weekend (scoring 15 points in 15 minutes), will also assist the very young Flames group.
Canberra will still be missing four-time WNBL MVP Lauren Jackson, who is still out with an injured hamstring. 188cm Brigitte Ardossi and 184cm Samantha Norwood have played well in Jackson’s absence, and it will be crucial for the Flames tall’s to keep them off the boards and to control the paint.
Having gone down to the Capitals in round one just four weeks ago, Flames Head Coach Karen Dalton is adamant that her team can turn the 74-61 result around if they can control the tempo of the game.
“Canberra like to push the ball up the floor and they will take early shots,” said Dalton.
“Our defensive transition needs to good to stop their running game.”
It will be up to guards Katie-Rae Ebzery, Jaimee Kennedy and Poto to shut down Jessica Bibby and Nicole Hunt, who have been strong for the Capitals this season.
Since the round one loss to Canberra, the Flames have added American import April Sykes and Cox.
Tipoff is at 7pm at the AIS Arena in Canberra.
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