Bilcich and Bastow add spark for reigning champions

Reigning Bunbury Basketball Association women’s champions Tornadoes Black showed on Tuesday night there is still plenty of revs in their engine. Julieann Bissaker’s side comfortably defeated the Eaton Eagles 75-28, with classy stalwart Ebony Bilcich dropping a game-high 18 points. Despite being without leading offensive threat Karinda Farrant, the Eagles worked tremendously hard during the early stages of the clash, and briefly took the lead after Chloe Scott knocked back a long-range three. A few minutes into the second quarter, and with a slender lead at their disposal, Bissaker brought on stalwarts Kelly Bastow and Bilcich — and the game flipped on its ear thereafter. With silky point guard Skye Palmer providing them silver service, Bastow and Bilcich became integral components of the Tornadoes Black offence. The Eagles players became visibly tired by the end of the second term, such was the frenzied nature Tornadoes Black were able to move the ball in and around the paint. In the second half, the reigning champs turned on the style, with Bilcich knocking down four three-point attempts for the third time this season. Although they were soundly beaten, the Eagles showed a lot more promise offensively. They moved the ball confidently on a regular basis, despite several of their offensive looks not landing. Another team making waves in the women’s competition is Tornadoes Red, who extended their winning streak to six games after outlasting Aces Sky 61-56. Down 11-2 inside the opening three minutes, Tornadoes Red gradually worked their way back into the contest, with Cian Parsons and Jasmine Barrett instrumental in the comeback. Round 16 fixtures (played on Friday night at South West Sports Centre) A-Men: 6.30pm Dunsborough Oilers v Tornadoes Black, Eaton Eagles v Aces Sky; 8pm Bulls Maroon v Tornadoes Red A-Women: 6.30pm Aces Sky v Bulls; 8pm Dunsborough Oilers v Tornadoes Black, Eaton Eagles v Aces Navy