THE South Coast Security Shoalhaven Tiger women have sent a message to the rest of the league when they made short work of the only other team that was undefeated in the NSW Division 1 State League, the Newcastle Hunters by 50 points, 97- 47 at the Tigers Den on Saturday night.

The Tigers in usual fashion got out of the blocks early forcing the Hunters into a quick time out.

The game never looked like swinging the other way at any stage during the night with the tigers holding the upper hand for the full 40 minutes.

At the first break they led 26-7.

Backed that up with a dominant second quarter, outscoring the Hunters 23-5 to be right on top 49-12 at half-time.

The Hunters came back in the third quarter, which Shoalhaven again took 27-21, but the damage had well and truly been done.

The Tigers bounced back in the final term taking it 21-10 to score another big victory.

Skipper Sandra Ozolins was again sensational and almost unstoppable in the paint, she was well backed up by Kate Denyer who was dynamic at both ends of the floor and the inclusion of WNBL imports and former Tiger juniors Kelly Hannett and Jaimee Kennedy proved to

be plus.

Both showed their premier experience at either end of the floor.

Razz Muir showed some of her old form during the game and the Newcastle bigs found it hard to handle the Tigers’ interior.

“Although sick, Razz showed that she can still cut it at the top,” said Shoalhaven coach Scott Balsar.

“It was great to see the fire in her eyes again, she and Sandra are two of the best bigs in the league and it showed on Saturday night.”

Coach Balsar was happy with his team’s performance and said it was great to get everyone in to play.

“It’s not often that all 12 players can get good minutes and Saturday as a great opportunity to do so and all the players gave quality contributions,” he said.

The late withdrawal of power forward Nicole Faulks was a concern to the Tigers as she was admitted to hospital just an hour before the match, but she has been cleared of anything too serious and will be back in the line up on May 31.

“Even though we won by so much we missed Nicki, she is a great player and a major part of our team,” Balsar said.

“Her experience and toughness is what makes our team so deep.

“I’m glad it wasn’t anything too serious as we have had to mend her through recent weeks with a few niggling injuries so it’s a real relief.”

The win puts the tigers as the only undefeated team in the league this year and with only four games left in the regular season the minor premiership looks like heading to the Tigers Den for the second year in a row.

Best for the Tigers were Kate Denyer 19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists; Kelly Hannett 16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 blocks; Sandra Ozolins 16 points, 12 rebounds, 4 steals; Jaimee Kennedy 13 points, 14 rebounds,

5 assists.

Next home game for the Tigers is a double header with the Holiday Haven Tiger Men on Saturday, May 31 against the Penrith Panthers and the Moss Vale Magic, with a 5pm tip off for the women and 7pm for the men.

Don’t forget the Tigers will also be running their free skills sessions at the Tigers Den from 3pm-4pm, players are most welcome to attend aged between eight and 11-years-old.

All players who attend the clinic

will receive free entry into the Tigers

game at 5pm.

Shoalhaven State League in conjunction with Seven Mile Pies are conducting a pie drive. You can purchase lunch and family size pies from any State League player, this is the last week of the drive so stock up on your winter pies, it’s a great family meal made easy.

If you want more information on the men’s and women’s programs visit the Shoalhaven Basketball website

www.shoalhaven.basketball.net.au

or contact Scott Balsar on 44225131 or 0412 770713 email scott_balsar@nsw

basketball.net.au.