Posted on 17 June, 2009

The Lady Cobras have built at impressive six game win streak since losing to Nunawading by one point on the siren back in Round 9 and have improved their record to 8-5 to sit 4th on the ladder.

Amy Denson and Sarah Parsons last week shut down the Kiwi Internationals for Albury to help Kilsyth to a 57-49 win.

This weekend will prove another test for Coach Jason Knight and his team to see if they can win their 7th straight against the Dandenong Rangers.  Dandenong started the season on fire winning five of their first eight games but have since fallen back in to pack losing five straight and currently sit 9th on the ladder with a 5-8 record.

Elyse Penaluna will be the next important match up for Denson.  The Australian Opal has recently returned from a successful tour of Europe and China and will shortly depart for Serbia to again represent Australia in the World University Games.

The winner of this matchup will likely determine the result for their team. For Kilsyth a win will go close to locking away a place in the finals while a win for Dandenong will keep their chances of making the post season alive.

Tip off is scheduled for 5.30pm at Dandenong Stadium, Stud Road Dandenong.

In complete contrast to the women, the Cobras will be looking to keep their season alive in a match up with Dandenong.  Their season has gone off track after some close losses, the latest a 10 point defeat at home to Albury.  The positive thing for the men is that one win could potentially elevate them into 2nd spot with both Bendigo and Knox tracking just ahead of them on the ladder.

Dandenong currently sit 5th with a 7-10 record. The Cobras defeated them back in Round 11 with a 109 – 100 win.

Joe Werner continues to dominate the League backing up his 45 points outing with 30pts and 15 rbds against Albury.  But it wasn’t enough and the Cobras will need a better output from the entire roster if they are going to defeat the Rangers.

Quincy Henderson will again be called on for the big defensive assignment against the Rangers high scoring imports in Dusty Jura and Vince Inglima. At the offensive end the Cobras need Gerard Leonard to find his range from the field as well as finding his open team mates in transition.

This result could well and truly decide which of these teams will play finals in 2009.  A win for the Cobras will give them a opportunity to move up the ladder and continue to battle for 2nd place, a loss could spell the end to Season 2009.

Coach Grant Wallace and the team has been here before in 2007 they finished the regular season with a 10-16 record and made a late run to the Grand Final.  Only time will tell whether they can repeat the run and go one better but one thing is for sure, a loss will make if very difficult.

Werner, Leonard and the team take to the court at 7.30pm at Dandenong Stadium this Saturday 20 June 2009.