New Look Magic Women Kick Start Pre-Season

Added 4 March 2008

The offseason has seen a major shakeup of the Magic Womens team as coach Andrew Nightingale puts together the pieces of what he hopes will be a winning formula. Nightingale has looked to youth to bolster the Womens team as the team looks to be a part of the playoff picture in season 2008. Players have been drawn from the 2007 Magic Under 20s squad as the senior squad looks to the future.

The new look Magic team, featuring 4 players from the Under 20 squad (Holly Bradshaw, Charlotte Sumskas, Tash Ross-Harris and Jess McKenzie) took to the court at Boorondara Sports Complex against the Cragieburn Eagles in a pre-season practice match on Sunday, March 2nd. Magic livewire Ash Fennell got the Magic up and running on the scoreboard early in the first quarter, but it was the visiting Eagles who had the stronger start to the game, leading 17-9 at quarter time. The Magic fought their way back into the game in the 2nd quarter with a strangling defence on the Eagles, restricting them to only 5 points for the period to level the game at 22 at half time. Bianca Lambert best embodied this defensive intensity albeit in an over anxious manner having picked up her 4th personal foul in the 2nd quarter.

The second half had a more free flowing feel to the game as teams exchanged baskets higher quality period offensively. Craigieburn worked their way to a 33-30 lead at three quarter time. It was the fourth quarter where Lauren Killmister decided to get busy with 8 points as the Magic surged to what was thought to be a match winning lead. A late Craigieburn fightback with a big three pointer in the last minute closed the margin to 1 point at full time, the Magic taking the win in regulation 52-51. A further 5 minutes were played to help get fitness levels back up to scratch. During the extra period, the Magic bench were used exclusively to guide the Magic through to a 58-56 victory. A free throw after the final buzzer from Sumskas ensured that all 11 Magic players were on the scoresheet.

For the Magic, Lauren Killmister top scored with 10 points and was well supported by Elyce Lambrou and Holly Bradshaw with 7 points each. Tash Ross-Harris and Jess McKenzie finished with 6 apiece. For the Eagles, M Jones and J Fitzgerald finished with 11 each.

Make sure you are there at Boorondara Sports Complex on Saturday 29th March when the real action starts. Both the men and women will kick off the regular season with an opening night double header against the Mildura Heat. Get down to the BSC at support the Magic in 2008!

2008 Hawthorn Magic BigV Fixtures
2008 BigV Season Photos in the Gallery