RJ
Years ago
Funny Classics - 18 GIRLS
For those of you unlucky enough to be stuck at work or not going away ... (written as I head out the door for the long trip over)
Under 18 Girls
North Adelaide
Coach: Marc Wallis
Strengths: Discipline, Depth, Experience.
Possible Weakness: Size or lack there of.
Players to watch: Mansfield, Kaminski, Peris ('05 18 Metro), Lock, Wright ('03 16 Metro), Burbridge, Keller, Rule ('04 16 Metro).
Quick look: First of all I just named all eight players as the Rockets players to watch. As I said they're deep. Burbridge is the only player with real height and Peris will work hard inside with her but compared to the Victorians that is where the Rockets could run into problems. Most of these girls have been here more then once before and know what to expect as does Wallis which will definitely help. If Kaminski can continue to get to the hoop, Lock hit the open shots and Mansfield control the tempo the Rockets could make up for their lack of size.
Eastern
Coach: Neil Gliddon
Strengths: Francis, Talent, Coaching.
Possible Weakness: Lack of depth.
Players to watch: Francis ('05 18 Metro), Crase ('05 18 Country), Madgen ('05 16 Country), Whitehead.
Quick look: Rumour is U16 Madgen will make the trip to Dandy with the 18's and her talent and skill is exactly what is needed. Cayla Francis is as exciting as any young basketballer in S.A. right now and her size combined with her range makes her extremely tough to guard; even for some of the best ABL players going around SA. Crase is a hard working PG who will try and control the flow of the Mavs games while Whitehead's rebounding power is very under-rated.
Sturt
Coach: Paul Mesecke
Strengths: Langford, Discipline, Fundamentals
Possible Weakness: Chemistry
Players to watch: McPhail ('05 18 Metro), Vehlow, Langford, Fachrmann ('05 18 Country), Hargraves ('05 18 metro res).
Quick look: Emma Langford has for the most part done her development under the radar. There are a number of real future prospects in this age bracket and Langford is definitely one of them. Her size and athleticism makes her an exciting player to watch and move around the floor. While Mesecke will have this team as prepared as any making the trip to Classics they have been inconsistent so far and their lack of playing time together could be one reason for that. Depending on how they gel for the whole weekend this group could be a real dark horse for a good result.
Norwood
Coach: Troy Schroeder
Strengths: Guards, Speed, Handles.
Possible Weakness: Lack of size.
Players to watch: Nicole Romeo ('05 18 Metro), Kate Gladstone ('03 16 Metro), Libby Harrison, Kimberly Olsen ('05 18 Country).
Quick look: Like the rest of S.A. the Flames biggest challenge will be the size factor. The Flames again will rely on Romeo and Gladstone in the backcourt to do most of their damage but Schroeder has been able to get good minutes out of the supporting cast in the past. If they can manage to recapture the form of Easter then the Flames could upset a few teams this weekend but they just don't have the level of talent I think is required at a Classics to be considered a shot at top 8.
Forestville:
Coach: Steve Boyton
Strengths: Depth, Names, Abby Bishop.
Possible Weakness: FIRE!
Players to watch: Abby Bishop (Gems/AIS), Mia Newley, Nikita-Lee Martin ('05 18 Metro), Duncan, Gallio ('05 18 Country).
Quick look: IF Abby Suits (and due to how late I'm writing this I can't confirm if she will or won't), then the Eagles will have three of the best players in S.A. in uniform to lead them. Newley and Martin are both playing bit minutes in a strong ABL side and have plenty of experience on the National junior stage. The key for the Eagles will be the contributions they can get from Duncan, Gallio, Harrison, Benson, Bow and the under-rated Alexander.
Group A: Nunawading, Norwood, Forestville, Bulleen.
Nunawading again appear out of reach for everyone in this group. They are currently the only undefeated team in the JVBL and boast 3 Vic Metro reps. Bulleen have been a little disappointing this year but should have enough to take the Flames. The battle between the Eagles and Boomers will decide the second top 8 spot and assuming Bishop will suit I'll tip the Eagles to get through.
Group B: Melbourne, Sturt, Tasmania, Latrobe.
Melbourne aren't the untouchable #2 of other grades and Sturt on a good night could possibly take them. At a National Classic though I think the Tigers will be too focused to allow that to happen. Latrobe have surprised many so far this JVBL and they have a good balanced side which relies on their team strength rather then individual talent. The Tasmanian side shouldn't bother the Sabres too much.
Group C: Dandenong, Eastern, Sydney, Eltham.
Not much separates the Rangers and Wildcats and that along with the Francis led Mavs makes me think this group could go anyway for these three teams. I doubt the Mavs have the depth and experience to stick with either Victorian side but they are definitely capable of pulling an upset. Personally I'm tipping the Wildcats to just get by the Rangers and the Mavs to just miss out. Sydney Comets aren't the strongest team from NSW and will probably struggle against three quality sides.
Group D: Broadmeadows, North Adelaide, Canberra, Frankston.
The Broncos have surprised me with their form in the VJBL and currently sit above more fancied teams from Eltham and Bulleen. If their style of game can translate into wins at this level of competition then look for them to go top of this Group. That being said Frankston as 5th Vic seed would definitely believe they have the tools to knock them off and personally I think they will. The Rockets are an interesting side to gauge here. Their lack of size is really the biggest issue and if they can hide that deficiency with their perimeter shooting and ability to get to the hoop then the Rockets could actually go 3-0 on Saturday. Canberra while not the easy beats some may think, find themselves in a tough pool with three quality sides and will probably struggle to compete on day one.
RJ's Final Four: 1. Nunawading, 2. Melbourne, 3. Frankston, 4. Eltham
SA Predicted Final Placing: North Adelaide 5 - 8, Forestville 5 - 8, Sturt 9 - 12, Eastern 9 - 12, Norwood 13 - 16.
Shame to see no West Adelaide here. Would have been good to see Mencel compete.
