NBL1 West 2023: A chance for South West Slammers women’s team to build

It’s amazing how young players can respond when some experience gets added alongside them.

The South West Slammers women’s team — predominantly made up of teenagers — received an added boost on Saturday in Perth against the Warwick Senators when former junior Paris Duffield returned to the program.

Duffield, who played at the Rockingham Flames, joined playing-coach Alex Ciabattoni out on the floor for lengthy stages during the 113-67 loss, with their impact more than just points and statistics.

While the new recruit dropped a game-high 31 points, her presence and willingness to take on the game was infectious among the younger members of the squad.

Even against a star-studded opposition, players such as Grace Adams fed off the positivity and played years above their age at times.

While turnovers increased towards the back end of the game, the Slammers’ pressure defence was on point and played a massive part in the Senators — a notoriously potent long-range offence — finishing 7/22 (31.8 per cent) from beyond the arc.

Ciabattoni’s side head to Wally Hagan Stadium on Friday night for a clash against the league-leading Cockburn Cougars before backing up at home a night later against the East Perth Eagles.

Scouting reports

Women: (Cougars)

League position: 1st. Last round: defeated Joondalup Wolves 84-79; top performer (v Wolves) - Stephanie Gorman (28 points - 7/11 field goal attempts, 4/13 three-point attempts, 2/2 free throw attempts, 10 rebounds, two assists, one steal).

Women: (Eagles)

League position: 11th. Last round: lost to Perry Lakes Hawks 66-55, lost to Willetton Tigers 100-60; top performer (v Tigers) - Tessa Morrison (14 points - 3/5 field goal attempts, 2/5 three-point attempts, 2/2 free throw attempts, three rebounds, one steal).