Posted on 12 June, 2009
The Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras return home Saturday to take on the Albury/Wodonga Bandits after a League bye last weekend. It will be the first time back on the floor since Joe Werner exploded at home two weeks ago to finish with 45pts, 20 rbds in a 97-80 win over Ballarat.
Werner was unstoppable in the 2nd term with 22pts, 10rbds, two dunks and an alley oop from Gerard Leonard. With both the team and crowd pumped, the Cobras were able to win their 8th game of the season and stay in touch with both Knox and Bendigo who are just above them on the ladder.
Albury travel to Kilsyth this Saturday 13 June 2009, as the Club celebrates the significant contribution their sponsors make to the program. Werner and team are ready to get back on the floor after a distracting fortnight where Chris Cameron was released by the Club.
Kilsyth defeated the Bandits on the road 94-50 back in Round 5 but they have improved significantly since adding American Import Jermaine Williams (21.4ppg, 9.1 rpg) who has combined with MVP candidate Fernadez Lockett (22.2ppg, 15.8rpg) to help Albury to some wins.
The Cobras will be looking for Joe Werner (20.3ppg, 13.4rpg) and Gerard Leonard (16ppg) to lead the team but look out for youngster Tim Lang, who has just returned from Stetson University in the USA, to make an impact in a possible starting role with Chris Cameron no longer on the roster.
It has been the teams strength all season and the Cobras will again be relying on its balanced scoring attack and even contribution all over the floor to see them over the line.
Tip off is scheduled for 8.15pm – so get down to the stadium and see Joe Werner throw down more dunks.
The Swinburne Lady Cobras (7-5) also return home Saturday night and will be looking to continue their five game win streak. The Lady Cobras finished May at 6-1 including a buzzer beater loss to Nunawading. Amy Denson received the player of the month award for May – but as she said it should have been team of the month with the balanced Lady Cobras line up getting the job done.
Kilsyth will be looking to lock itself into a finals position over the next two weeks with games against Albury (4-6) and Dandenong (5-7), as two wins would go a long way to ensuring a top four finish.
MVP Candidate Amy Denson (19.3ppg, 10.4rpg) has starred for the Lady Cobras all season but it has been the re-emergence of young stars Sarah Parsons (10.4ppg, 9.2rpg, 4.9apg) and Clare Papavs (10.3ppg) who have helped balance the Lady Cobras after a slow 1-4 start to the season.
With Hayley Moffatt (9.6ppg, 4.9rpg), Erica McMenamin (7ppg) and Gemma Kerr (8.0ppg, 5.1rpg) providing solid support the Lady Cobras have surprised quiet a few doubters with the recent streak.
Albury currently sit 7th on the ladder just outside finals contention and after a fast start have dropped a few games recently. The Lady Cobras will be looking to hand them their 3rd straight loss but another MVP candidate Lisa Wallbutton (20ppg, 13.1rpg) and Kiwi International Antonia Edmondson (15.7ppg, 7.7rpg) will be keen to lead the Lady Bandits to their 5th win of the season.
The Lady Cobras will tip off at 6.15pm – get down and support Amy and the girls as they look to extend their win streak to six.
