Posted on 1 August, 2018
The Kilsyth Lady Cobras have sent a message to the rest of the SEABL with a spectacular 81-58 victory over Nunawading at home in their first round final on Saturday night.
The Lady Cobras were in charge from start to finish, riding a dominant opening quarter as they built a commanding lead they would not relinquish. Steph Blicavs, Jasmine Gill and Angela Beadle led Kilsyth’s dominant early charge, with the superstar trio shouldering the load offensively as they combined for 30 first half points to give the Lady Cobras a 13 point halftime lead.
A big third period by Beadle – both scoring the ball and throwing some beautiful passes – kept the Lady Cobras ahead, and though the Spectres would trim Kilsyth lead to eight late in the quarter, Kilsyth simply had too much answers – and talent – to be denied as they stormed home late. The Lady Cobras erupted for a 16-4 run early in the final stanza to put this one out of reach, with Beadle scoring another eight points during the game-clinching stretch to cap a spectacular game by the 2017 league MVP.
Beadle finished with a game-high 24 points on a blistering 8-9 shooting from the field, adding seven rebounds and four assists in a stellar all-around performance. Blicavs added 18 points; Gill finished with 14 points and nine rebounds; Hope Terdich was impactful off the bench yet again, recording 12 points in 13 minutes; and Sarah Parsons chipped in with six rebounds, five assists and an abundance of hustle plays that Kilsyth fans have grown accustomed to seeing over the past decade.
Kilsyth head coach Sam Woosnam was thrilled with her team’s dominant performance on Saturday, one that has earned the Lady Cobras a week’s rest and a home Preliminary Final on August 11.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with the way the girls played on Saturday,” Woosnam said.
“They did everything we needed and it really showed in the best team performance we’ve had all season. We followed the scout and played with great intensity and efforts.”
Woosnam also reflected on the past four seasons which has seen the Lady Cobras reach unrivalled success, with her team advancing to within a game of the SEABL Grand Final for the fourth straight year, including three consecutive home Conference/Preliminary Final games.
“To be playing in our third straight Preliminary home final is obviously very pleasing as a coach and I’m very proud and happy for the girls,” Woosnam said.
“It’s a testament to the hard work they put in week in week out and how much our program has grown. We aren’t getting too far ahead of ourselves, though; we know there is still a lot of room for improvement and a long way to go.”
The Lady Cobras will look to advance to the 2018 SEABL Grand Final when they take on the winner of this weeks Semi Final between the Bendigo Braves and Geelong Supercats. And after a monster home crowd helped push the Lady Cobras to a spectacular victory on Saturday night, Woosnam is excited to see another full house in two weeks time in the biggest game of the year thus far.
“A huge thanks to our crowd – you guys were awesome and the atmosphere you created on our home court was fantastic,” Woosnam added.
“We will need your support again in two weeks, so please come again and make a lot of noise and help get us through to play for the 2018 SEABL Championship.”
