Star guard Chantella Perera has re-signed with the Kilsyth Lady Cobras for the 2018 SEABL season.

Perera had a remarkable bounce-back 2017 campaign, posting her best scoring season (14.0ppg) since 2012, while adding 5.0 rebounds and a team-best 3.7 assists per game; her best total since 2007. The electrifying guard also led the Lady Cobras in steals (1.7spg) and shot a blistering 42 percent from three point range, good for third in the league.

Lady Cobras coach Sam Woosnam is excited to have the athletic Perera back on board in 2018, as she joins Australian Opal and two-time league MVP Steph Blicavs, rising star Chelsea D’Angelo, and point guards Taylor Lee and Jenna Verhoef-Jenkins to round out an ultra-talented backcourt.

“It’s really pleasing that Chantella has decided to play on for another year with us,” Woosnam said.

“She had an outstanding season last year and stood up for us time and time again when we needed her most.”

Entering her eleventh SEABL season, Perera will also take on an expanded leadership role with the Lady Cobras, as she will serve as an assistant coach for the team in addition to her playing duties. And having starred at the US collegiate, SEABL and WNBL levels, Woosnam believes that Perera’s knowledge and leadership will be an invaluable tool to some of the Lady Cobras younger players.

“Chantella’s playing role will be a lot different this year and she has also taken on the role of our second assistant coach,” Woosnam said.

“Her experience and leadership will be very valuable to the young guards we have, and myself and Tony (Smyth) are looking forward to working with Channy again in 2018.”

With Perera, Blicavs, D’Angelo and Jasmine Gill providing unmatched perimeter athleticism, coupled with talented front court veterans Sarah Parsons and Rosie Moult and reigning league MVP Angela Beadle, the Lady Cobras promise to be one of the SEABL’s most exciting and talented teams in 2018.

The Lady Cobras tip-off the new season on Friday April 6, when they head to Hobart to take on the Lady Chargers (6:00pm tip-off). They’ll make their home debut on Saturday April 14 as they square off against the Frankston Blues as part of a WNWBL/SEABL tripleheader. The WNWBL Cobra Women tip-off the evening as they host Queensland in wheelchair hoops action at 3:30pm, followed by the Lady Cobras at 6:00pm, and the Cobra Men at 8:00pm, as they too make their home debut against the Blues.

With the 2018 SEABL just around the corner, order your Cobra Season Membership today! Gain entry to all SEABL, VYC, NWBL and WNWBL Cobras home games in 2018 and enjoy a number of special extras with your membership.