Girls stay top of the table

Wolves U-16 girls opened 2023 with a comfortable 62-38 victory at Kingston Lions to stay top of NBL South Premier.

While Kingston have struggled in their first year in the top flight, they did inflict title chasing Ipswich's only defeat of the season, so far, on them but Tor Freeman's side never looked back after holding the hosts scoreless for the first nine minutes.

Despite an unfamiliar starting line-up due to travel issues, Wolves opened strongly with Zoe Gollop putting the first points on the board to begin a 14-0 run.

The 15-2 first period lead was extended to 26-11 at half-time and a 19-11 third period effectively wrapped things up at 45-22 going into the final break. Freeman was able to give all nine players plenty of court time in the fourth period as Wolves completed the win with a 17-16 final frame.

Amye Swinney and Stella Piscetelli led a balanced Wolves' scoring effort with 11 points apiece, adding 11 and six rebounds respectively. Lily Harkness finished with ten points, eight rebounds and three steals while Caitlin Ryan had nine point and eight steals to go with her 14 boards. Paris Tyson added eight points and seven rebounds as all nine Wolves got on the scoresheet.

In contrast, the U-14 girls found hosts Ipswich too strong as they were beaten 91-33 at high-flying Ipswich.

a 23-11 first period put the hosts in charge before a strong second frame saw them take a 49-15 lead into the half-time break. The hosts won the third quarter 22-8 to end the game as a contest before Wolves regained a bit of pride by winning the final stanza 15-10.

Lucy Conlan led the scoring with 11 points, with Gori Kohli adding eight points and captain Sophie Walsh four.