| June 13, 2000 Canada Jets, Australia
Lags
The Canadian Women's Wheelchair Basketball team, competing
in the EnergyAustralia Slam Down Under, opened up their 5 game series against Team
Australia in Sydney, Tuesday with a convincing 56-40 victory. The Canadians were sharp,
shooting 47% from the floor despite arriving in Australia from Vancouver on Monday
morning. An analysis of morning resting heart rates and a 2-kg medicine ball throw
confirmed to the coaching staff that the team had indeed adjusted to the travel and time
change effectively. This was accomplished by a series of guided visualization
sessions prior to leaving Vancouver and through careful planning and execution of the
travel process.
Team Canada used all 12 players in the match to stay fresh and maintain the high level of
intensity required by their constant pressure defense and high speed fast breaking style
of play. Australia tried to find lineups that would be effective, but unable to mount any
sustained scoring drives. The Australians were led by perennial all star Liesl Tesch who
scored 22 points (10/22 from the field, 2/6 foul shots), hauled down 8 rebounds, had 4
steals and 5 turnovers. By contrast the rest of the Australian team shot 6 for 44 from the
field. The Aussies did however have more offensive rebounds than Canada (22-13).
Tracey Ferguson of Toronto led all Canadian scorers with 14 points on 7/12 shooting, while
Chantal Benoit of Ottawa picked up 11 points on 4/8 shooting and 3 for 5 from the
charity stripe. Renee DelColle of Calgary had a solid outing with 7 points and 11
rebounds, while Lori Radke also of Calgary scored 5 points. Linda Kutrowski and Marnie
Peters, both of Ottawa and Kendra Ohama of Calgary each chipped in with 6 points and
solid defensive performances. Sabrina Pettinicchi of Montreal and Joanne Kelly of Calgary
played well, each with 2 assists and each causing Australia to take poor shots. Marni
Abbott of Vancouver had a strong outing with 4
rebounds, while Michelle Stilwell of Calgary also performed well for Canada, using her
picking and screening skills to set up numerous Canadian points.
Canada plays Australia on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday in the test series to
prepare the venues and staff for the Paralympics in October. The event also features the
Netherlands in men's wheelchair basketball; New Zealand in Quad Rugby, Poland in
basketball for athletes with an intellectual disability, as well as both the
Canadian men and women standup basketball teams.
Tuesday's activities for Team Canada included a bus tour of the Olympic/Paralympic Village
and venues. Wednesday will see the Canadians playing their game in the 18,100 seat
Sydney SuperDome.
For more information, please contact:
Wendy Gittens, Executive Director CWBA, 613 260-1296
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