James Murphy
THEY sit a win clear on top of the premiership table and the Millicent Magic women will have their sights set on ending the year with another strong result.
The side enters Round 12 of the Country Basketball League South West competition against third-placed Horsham on the road.
Based on their previous meeting, Millicent should have the Hornets covered.
In Round 9 the Magic gave them a shake up to the tune of 30 points, with a balanced contribution led by Emily Winter’s 20 point game.
She carries red-hot form into the round after a huge 32-point haul in Millicent’s victory over Mount Gambier last week.
She was assisted by sister Georgia Winter (18 points) and captain Jasmin Howe (16), who also had their share of action under the hoop.
However, Millicent coach Damien Venn admitted the Christmas/New Year period was always difficult to navigate with player availability and Millicent’s captain will be absent tomorrow.
“We will have Alana (Berkefeld) out again with her ankle injury and Jazzy (Howe) is away this weekend too,” Venn said.
Youngster Lauren van Eeden made her debut last round and impressed her coach, while the likes of fellow young-guns Poppy Venn and Edie Easterby have been in some solid form.
Last round’s win over an understaffed Mount Gambier rewarded the Magic with a one-win buffer on top of the conference ladder.
Looking to the final rounds and they should hold that position, but there will be road trips aplenty in the run towards finals.
“We still have some tough games to come,” Venn said.
That includes this week’s clash, while looking to 2023 a meeting with fourth-placed Warrnambool looms as the toughest game left in the home-and-away season.
