Posted on 17 July, 2008

SEABL TEAMS OF THE MONTH – JUNE

The SEABL Team of the Month is a league initiative to increase public awareness and emphasize the exceptional talent that is on court each week playing in Australia’s Premier Winter Basketball League”.

The SEABL Monthly awards for June take into account games played between rounds 15-17 inclusive.

SEABL Men Team of the Month – JUNE

NW Tasmania court general Ben Armstrong has led his team remarkably this season as they continue to dominate in the East Conference. Leading his team to a 2-2 record in the month of June, Armstrong averaged 25.8 points, 4 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.3 steals per game to be the standout performer in June. Despite his team losing 109-116 to Geelong in round 16, Ben played his heart out finishing with 33pts@50%, 3rebs, 4ass and 5stls as well as limiting Supercats backcourt duo (Leonard/Cox) to a combined 12pts.  Armstrong is a veteran in this league but is getting better and better every season he plays.

Knox Raiders import CJ Massingale remains the league leading scorer after another sensational offensive month of basketball.  Massingale recorded a league season best 51 points at 53%, and earned his first Player of the Week honour in round 16.  With a 10pt lead with only a quarter to play Massingale turned it on in the fourth, scoring 20pts to guide the Raiders to a 137-108 victory.   

Averaging 28.5 points @ 50%, 8 rebounds and 3.2 assists Dallas Jeffree deserves his first recognition on the SEABL Team of the Month.  Jeffree has been the teams best performed player all season, and is required to consistently produce high quality games for his team.  Dallas produced his excellent form in round 15 averaging 29 points and 8 rebounds as the Pioneers split their tough road double against the Bandits and the Spectres. Mt Gambier recorded their second win for the month in round 17, thanks largely to the efforts of Jeffree.  With 27pts@56%, 10rebs, 7ass, 1stl and 1blk Jeffree guided the Pioneers to a rewarding 103-80 victory against Nunawading

One of the major factors behind the AIS 4-2 recod in June, was the inspirational play from 18 year old Queenslander Brock Motum.  His athleticism caused major headaches for opposing coaches as he showed he is a player to watch in the future.  Brock averaged 17.5 points @ 58% and 6.8 rebounds and received Player of the Week honours in round 17. Brock was outstanding in the AIS shock 41pt thrashing of league powerhouse Geelong Supercats as he finished the game with 29pts@71% including 3/3 (100%) from behind three point arc, 9rebs and 1ass.  The following day Brock returned home to the AIS and continued his current form with 22pts@62%, 6rebs, 2ass and 2stls, helping the AIS record a 109-105 victory over Bendigo. 

Kilsyth import Joe Werner has improved his productivity with every game, and is the lone big man on the Cobras team. Coach Wallace is consistently requiring big minutes, and the month of June was no exception, as Joe recorded a double double in each game.  Averaging 22.5 points and 13.8 rebounds per game, he gets the job done week in week out for his coach. His best performance came on June 29 against Ballarat, with 33 points @68%, 15 rebounds and 4 assists.

SEABL Men Coach of the Month – JUNE

Australian Institute of Sport coach Marty Clarke earns the acknowledgement after a 3-2 record for the month. His team remained in fourth position, and consolidated a finals position. Marty started the month with a disappointing home loss to Southern Districts, but was able to pick his team up for a crucial 2-1 road trip with victories over Mt Gambier and Nunawading.  Three games in three days are always tough, and he was able to get enough out of his players on the third game to defeat the Spectres comfortably 116-92.  Due to illness Clarke missed the AIS 40pt barrage on Geelong in round 17, but was able to use the adrenalin for the game the following night at home to defeat Bendigo 109-105.

The SEABL Monthly awards for June take into account games played between rounds 15-17 inclusive.

SEABL Women Team of the Month – JUNE

Lady Thunder Kristen Veal has been the major performer for her team in another inconsistent season which has yet to yield a playoff spot.  Veal has been the shining light throughout season 2008 and is a firm favorite for the most valuable player award. Veal averaged 21.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.7 steals during June, and is by far the best all rounder player in the league this year.  Kristen played a full 40mins in three of the four games played this month, and recorded 25pts@47%, 8rebs, 3ass and 2stls in the Lady Thunder only victory for the month against Albury/Wodonga in round 16.

WNBL and Ballarat Lady Miners star Michelle Musselwhite receives her second SEABL player of the month recognition. Michelle averaged 23.4 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2.8 steals, her team finishing the month strongly for an overall 3-2 record. Musselwhite finished the month with her third Player of the Week recognition.  After two disastrous losses in round 16, Musselwhite inspired her team back into finals contention with two sensational road victories.  Michelle recorded 21pts@50%, 16rebs, 3ass and 3stls in the Lady Miners 69-59 win at Frankston on Saturday night. Michelle was the games leading scorer and rebounder with 24pts@56%, 14rebs and 3ass on the Sunday, helping Ballarat defeat Kilsyth.

Kilsyth Cobras forward Sarah Parsons has once again been instrumental in keeping her team in playoff calculations, guiding her team to a 2-2 record for the month of June to hold onto fourth position. Sarah averaged 17.5 points, 13 rebounds and 6.75 assists across four matches. She earned Player of the Week honours in Week 15 after a sensational performance on the Apple Isle. In the Cobras huge win against the Tornadoes Sarah had 26 points @ 65%, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Backing up the next night against the Thunder Sarah had a massive 17 rebounds to go with her 20 points and 6 assists.

Despite only playing two games during the month of June, Knox Raiders first year import Ashlee Dunlap has been a dominant force in each game.  Averaging 15.5 points, 19 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 3 blocks, Dunlap helped Knox to a 1-1 record, including victory over higher placed Ballarat in round 16.  Along with front court partner Tanya Smith, Dunlap tormented the Lady Miners with 13pts@45%, 18rebs, 5blks and 3stls to guide the Raiders to a comfortable 82-63 victory, after trailing by as much as 23 in the second quarter.

Marita Payne has been a fantastic addition to the Frankston Lady Blues since joining mid season and deserves her first Team of the Month selection. Payne helped the Blues to their 5^th win of the season in round 15 with a 26 point and 14 rebound haul against the Bandits. Her productivity on court has been fantastic, averaging 24.0 points, 11.25 rebounds and 3.25 blocks and helping the Lady Blues to a successful 2-2 record for the month.Marita Payne produced another high quality game in round 17 to finish the month with 27pts@52%, 21rebs and 5blks in the Lady Blues loss to Ballarat.

 SEABL Women Coach of the Month – JUNE

With a 4-0 record, Nunawading Spectres coach Mike Bainbridge deserves his second Coach of the Month recognition after helping his team to move into second position.  Bainbridge and his team started the month with an easy 94-57 victory over bottom placed Albury/Wodonga in round 15.  The following round Mike guided his team to a remarkable 2-0 weekend on the road over finals contenders Kilsyth and Ballarat.  This improved the Spectres road record for the year to 11-1.  An 81-75 victory over NW Tasmania at home ended a very successful month for Mike.