Launceston Tornadoes have leaked more than 90 points in successive games on Saturday night that has already concerned coach Richard Dickel to fix his new side’s ailing defence.
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While scoring was on the improve from the 59 points shot at Geelong on Friday night, Nunawading Spectres again exposed the newest Tornadoes’ frailties in a 91-81 loss back in Launceston.
Dickel has only walked into the club little more than a week back to a then 6-2 win/loss record, but also on the back of a 36-point loss 24 hours earlier is determined to turn the club into SEABL championship contenders.
“We were better than we were last night, that’s for sure,” Dickel said.
“But I think we’re going to need a lot of work our defence.
“Even though the girls shot very well again today, we’ve got to get better at our defensive schemes and taking people out of what they want to do.
“Apart from that, we played really well offensively – 81 points in the women’s game is a lot to win a game.
“But just defensively we are not anywhere near where I would like us to be at this point in time.”
The players have played under their third coach inside six games, which includes last year’s mentor Reece Potter standing in during four games since Ben Rush’s sudden departure.
The Tornadoes delivered Dickel a stirring debut win last Saturday night against Dandenong to lead the south conference ladder.
But Launceston is conceding an average of 76 points over its 11 matches, including a season-high 98 points against Bendigo Braves.
“If I am honest we haven’t been good at it all year,” Dickel said.
“You get away with it early in the season because teams aren’t used to playing and they don’t shoot well.
“The further you get into the season, teams always shoot better.
“We as a team have to accept that and start making some changes.”
The two sides went nearly point for point throughout most of the first half, the margin never greater than four points until inside the final minute.
The Spectres broke the 45-45 deadlock to score the final seven points to the long interval.
The home side twice got within two points but never led the contest again to trail by eight at three-quarter time, which was also the closest the Torns ever got.
Tayla Roberts starred with 25 points, shooting above her 23.9 league-leading average, while collecting eight rebounds in the loss.
Lauren Mansfield finished with a tidy 19 points and eight defensive rebounds that puts the diminutive point guard inside the top five in the SEABL.
Bec Abel also delivered a breakout game to score 13 points and a season-best four three-pointers.
Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
