Posted on 22 July, 2008

Lady Cobras finished in 4th spot on head-to-head against Ballarat with a 15-9 record.  2008 featured some massive wins for the Lady Cobras defeating Ballarat on the road by 21pts, twice defeating Bendigo and once again on the road a nine point win over Launceston were the highlights. The last win will be the most important during the first week of finals as Kilsyth will face the early season favourite Launceston on Saturday night.

2008 Head to Head –       Launceston 76-70 at Launceston (rd 1)

                                           Launceston 86-80 at Kilsyth (rd 9)

                                           Kilsyth 93-84 at Launceston (rd 15)

Launceston led the League for the majority of the season before dropping their final three games to finish with a 17-7 record.

Coach Jason Knight has been lucky to have an even array of scoring throughout the Season with five players averaging double figures, the Lady Cobras have proven to be a difficult defensive assignment becoming one of the highest scoring teams in the League.

Key Statistics – Lady Cobras

Sarah Parsons       13.1 ppg    5.1apg   10.2rpg

Clare Papavs         16.4 ppg    6.6rpg

Desiree Glaubitz    14.9ppg     5apg       5rpg

Gemma Kerr           11.1ppg    4.5rpg

Hayley Moffatt        10.9ppg    4.5rpg

Jessica Lonon         9ppg         5.8rpg

To win this game the Lady Cobras must limit the impact of Tornadoes Nat Hurst (21ppg) and Christa Hays (17ppg, 11rpg) if they are able to contain these two stars Knight and the team will fancy themselves in this match up.

Live stats will be available via the SEABL website from 7.30pm Saturday 26th July.  Visit www.seabl.com.au

Cobras finally received some luck in 2008 when the League announced the AIS had pulled out of the playoffs and Kilsyth were to take their place.  A Season full of promise was disrupted early when Chris Payne was ruled out for the entire year after being electrocuted at work.  Jon Croft missed the opening four weeks with injury and then import Zach Malvik broke his foot and return to the US. 

Coach Grant Wallace finally got a his team on the floor towards the end of the season and managed to win 3 of their final 4 games including wins over East conference teams Knox and Bendigo who will both play in post season action.

Kilsyth’s opponent for the first week of playoffs will be the Hobart Chargers who finished 3rd in the South Conference with a 14-12 record.  Kilsyth defeating Hobart on the road in last years Preliminary final so will go into the game knowing they are capable of causing an upset.

2008 Head to Head –       Hobart 105-95 at Kilsyth (rd10)

                                          Hobart 109-90 at Hobart (rd15)

Despite being hit with injuries Kilsyth has managed to find consistent contributors throughout the 2008 Season, none have been better than Import Centre Joe Werner.  Despite struggling early in the year with foul trouble Werner has become accustomed to the League and put together an impressive second half of the season.  With the explosive scoring ability of Gerard Leonard will be a key for the Cobras with Werner and Jon Croft.

Key Statistics – Cobras

Joe Werner               20.9 ppg      14.5rpg

Gerard Leonard        19.4 ppg   

Jon Croft                   12.6ppg       5.2rpg

DJ Taylor                  12.5ppg       6.1rpg

Adam Jackson           11.0ppg   

Wallace will need his big guns to fire at the offensive end but this game will be won or lost at the defensive end with the Cobras need to contain Hobart’s Anthony Stewart (21ppg), Charleston Long (20ppg, 10rpg), Mark Banovic (17ppg) and Robert Inches (15ppg) to have a chance at victory.

Live stats will be available via the SEABL website from 8.00pm Friday 25th July.  Visit www.seabl.com.au