5 Observations from QBL Women’s heading into 2016
1. Rockhampton is still the team to beat. The Cyclones got their maiden women’s championship in 2015 and the squad has improved. Chandrea Jones is joined by former Rockhampton import Shanavia Dowdell. Dowdell has been in ominous form in Belgium averaging 19.2 points and 10.4 rebounds and is an upgrade from Nicole Michaels. Add veteran WA SBL play Gabriella Clayton to the bench and you have a legit roster. While Mackay and co have reloaded, having two stud imports, the experience of Haynes and Norwood and role players like Alex Brady and Katrina Clifford and I can’t see any reason why Rockhampton won’t repeat.
2. There are some quality imports this season. Massive improvement in the rosters and the first place u notice that improvement is at the skill of imports coming to this league. - Current WNBL import Natalie Novosel is having her offseason at Townsville while former WNBL import Shanavia Dowdell returns to Rockhampton. - You have a massive international flavour: Ipswich’s Shennineka Smith (Jamaica) and Soana Lucet (New Caledonia); Cairns’ Kristina Blatic (Serbia), SC Phoenix’s Katarina Flasarova (Czech Republic), USC Rip’s Francis Donders (Netherlands) and Toowoomba’s sister act Beatriz and Estella Royo (Spain), which the majority of them representing their country internationally either at junior or senior level - Several others are their highest performing players in their leagues: SC Phoenix’s Kierra Mallard is one of the best big in the German league, Rocky’s Chandrea Jones and Mackay’s Deanna Weaver are dominating the Finnish league.
3. Brisbane, Cairns and Logan have definitely improved. Brisbane has seen a revamp in the roster and a more offensive oriented and deeper squad lead by former SEQ Star Amy Lewis and returning guard Heidi Freeburn. Division rivals Logan have taken a similar approach dumping their two imports in favour for more known local players like Skye Rees, Cassie Smith and Kate Gaze. Gaze looks capable of being a star in this league and seems to have supporting cast that make the push are for a playoff spot. Cairns have a wealth of basketball experience in former international Mark Worthington and despite this being his first foray into coaching. Expect a new type of mentality out of the Dolphins, with a formidable frontcourt of Blatic, Rachael Pryor, Jade Kennedy and Teyla Evans expect Cairns to turn heads in the QBL.
4. Gladstone and Bundaberg look worse than last year. Not that don’t have competitive teams but they look significantly worse for wear in 2016. Gladstone has legit starting 5 with two imports, two kiwis and Maddy Willey, what hurts them is they have nothing in that bench. Being in the tough north pool and the improvement of Cairns and Townsville, Gladstone will have a tough time proving that they can remain in the playoff picture. Bundaberg will only have one import (Carly Boag is restricted) and they lost some depth with the departure of Monique Stevens and Emma Mahady. Similar situation to Gladstone, in the fact that Brisbane and Logan have both improved and their playoff chances isn’t as clear cut as last year.
5. USC Rip is in for a rough first year. The newest addition to the QBL is going to have rough season. They managed to get add a point guard import in Francis Donders who is experienced in playing in European leagues and internationally for Netherlands. Ondrea Shaw comes from East Carolina University and is a renown shot-blocker, but being foul prone and limited in offence, which would make her a liability. The rest of the squad is inexperienced and have seen limited minutes and games in QBL, only Hannah Beede and Camryn Hughes looks like players that could contribute for the long term. The time it takes to develop a team chemistry and a winning culture, plus the region inability to produce quality local players it could take years to be relevant in this league. With SC Phoenix the it’s difficult to see the Rip win 1-2 games the entire season.
