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Years ago
Summerton takes out POTW again
Adelaide QUIT Lightning forward Laura Summerton has finished the 'Price Attack' Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) regular season in sizzling form with her second Player of the Week award in three weeks.
In the final round of WNBL competition for the 25th anniversary season, the 21-year-old had two standout games at home, leading her team to an upset win over league leaders Dandenong on Friday night and helping in a cruisy win over the AIS on Sunday afternoon.
The Athens Olympic silver medallist had 49 points across the weekend at 57.5% and pulled down 16 rebounds, including a career-equalling best eight offensive boards against Dandenong.
She was also tough on the defensive end against Dandenong, blocking two shots, grabbing four rebounds and stealing one ball.
Summerton had a break-through season in 2004/05 with a total of 150 rebounds and 418 points, giving her a game average of 7.1rpg and 19.9ppg.
Her shooting percentage was also high with 53.8% of her shots finding their mark this season. She will be a key in the Lightning's finals push, which starts against Sydney Uni in the minor semi this Friday night at 7:30pm.
"Laura has been working particularly hard in her individuals and she is now reaping the reward of that work," Adelaide coach Chris Lucas said. "She is in really good form right now."
"I've been very impressed with her leadership on and off the floor and she's really grown in that area."
Summerton will be a key in Adelaide's minor semi on Friday night. It's do or die for the Lightning and Lucas isn't putting all his eggs in one basket.
"While she's invaluable to the team and a genuine scorer, it's not about one player right now. She and Jenni (Screen) are working well together and we need all our players to step up to take the pressure off in the semi final."
Summerton is the final Player of the Week for the 25th anniversary season of the 'Price Attack' WNBL with the Player of the Month for January being announced this Thursday.
Other players in contention for the award in Round 18 were Jenni Screen (Adelaide), Donna Loffhagen (Canberra), Trisha Fallon (Sydney Uni), Claudia Brassard (Townsville), Renae Camino (AIS), Kathleen Macleod (AIS), Shelley Hammonds (Perth), Jessica Bibby (Dandenong) and Jacinta Hamilton (Dandenong).
The WNBL Finals will be shown LIVE on ABC-TV on Saturday afternoons for the next three weeks. Watch all the major semi final action this Saturday, February 5, when Dandenong take on Bulleen Melbourne from 4pm
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