Feature image via: Hyperfocus Images
Perry Lakes Hawks import, Grace Stone, has revealed the club’s 11-5 record is reflected in their “unselfish” behaviour on the court.
The Hawks have soared to fourth on the NBL1 West ladder, with Stone praising both her teammates and head coach Craig Mansfield for their buy-in.
“We’re so unselfish… One thing that we focused as a team on is to ‘leave your egos at the door’, and do whatever it takes to win,” Stone said on the Fast Break Podcast.
“We’ve played against some really talented teams this season, and have come out of really close games with a ‘W’, just because we have been able to find ways to win and done whatever the team has needed.
“Some games it’s going to be scoring from me, some games it’s going to be rebounding or playing defence. But we’ve just been really unselfish as a team and I think it has really shown in our record."
The American import out of Long Island, New York is playing her second professional season overseas, averaging 16.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and three assists in her first season in the Southern Hemisphere.
Stone explained the impact of having a championship coach in Mansfield, the 2018 SBL championship head with the Lakeside Lightning’s resume stood out to Stone – allowing her to put her full trust into this team.
“He’s really analytical of the game, and it’s been really helpful having a coach who I feel like I can talk the game with – sit down, watch film, be able to pick apart a game and really find a way to be on the same page,” she said.
“Our team really responds well to the way he coaches us, and we have a lot of respect for him and his process, and getting us prepared for games.”
The Hawks next face the South West Slammers at home on Saturday at 5:00pm local time, streaming live via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App.
