Best Guards

[JB]

With the season fast approaching I was trying to do my preseason predictions and got to thinking that to determine the best team it might help to rank the players. I went with three groups - starting guards, starting forwards and center, and first two of the bench, based on roster on wnbl.com.au as of Sep 20th.

I think, and it is just a guess, the starting guards may be as follows, excluding the AIS as I really don't know any of their players -

Adelaide - Marino, Newley
Bendigo - Harrower, K Wilson
Bulleen - Milner, O'Hea
Canberra - Lacey, Bibby
Dandenong - MacLoed, Foley
Logan - Veal, Graham
Sydney - Smith, Potocki
Townsville - Flanagan, Lewis
West Coast - Bevilaqua, Malpass

I think they rank as follows -

1 - Harrower
2 - O'Hea
3 - Smith
4 - Foley
5 - Bevilaqua
6 - MacLoed
7 - Lewis
8 - Veal
9 - Bibby
10 - Milner
11 - Lacey
12 - Flanagan
13 - Marino
14 - Graham
15 - Potocki
16 - Newley
17 - K Wilson
18 - Malpass

Giving Dandenong the best pairing Foley 4th and MacLeod 6th, then Bulleen and Canberra.

Based on team personal I have used some players listed as guards as 3's, so if someone is missing that might be why. I think I might have Bevilaqua to low, Milner to high, Lacey I have no idea really, and Marino could possibly be higher. Thoughts?

[bandwagon_jumper]

1. Harrower
2. O'Hea
3. McLeod
4. Veal
5. Bibby
6. Flanagan
7. Bevalaqua
8. Newley
9. Foley
10. Lewis
11. Marino
12. Milne
13. Lacey (due to not having seen her)
14. K Wilson
15. Malpass
16. Potocki
17. Graham

No Smith as she is not playing.

[JB]

I'd like to understand how you have Flanagan above Bevilaqua and I am all for loyalty to your own but really Newley over Foley and Lewis.

[Lolly_snack]

No Butler? She is playing?

[JB]

No Butler? She is playing?

She was on the roster, I had Smith and Potocki as Sydney's two starting guards thus Butler is not in my list. If Smith is out I imagine Butler and Potocki would start and I would have Butler between Marino and Graham on my list.

[bandwagon_jumper]

I rate Flanagan as she runs Townsville as would have been only bettered by Harrower last year as a point guard. She is very under rated but she scores, defends and controls the team. Tully I will be interested how she goes without LJ, Bishop, Bibby etc around to carry the bulk of the scoring workload. This year we will see just how good she is in Perth. She can defend, but doesn't score and not a great play maker.

Newely will have a break out year and can really light it up from down town and rebounds and defends. Watch a few of her games and you will be shocked at her work rate. I think Foley will get lost amongst the star studded team in Dandenong, although it does allow her to go back to being a role player. Lewis is really good one in every four games and when she can do it week in week out she will go up the list.

[Pointybits]

At the Capitals-Flames pre season at Mossvale last Saturday, Katie Ebzery, playing at point for the Flames was IMO "Best on Court". The Newcastle youngster controlled the offense and locked down Biddy and friends. I have to say I have always considered her a special talent and if she gets the chance to show this coming season most will be impressed.
Just turned 17, Flames's development player, Lauren Nicholson came off the bench and never took a backward step. Wow! now here is a kid with a future. Her mum Jo was at the AIS in its first Basketball year so the genes are set for an outstanding future for Lauren.