Feature image via: Trent Moore
The Eltham Wildcats have shocked the NBL1 world with a major defensive performance in an Elimination Final against the Frankston Blues.
“It was just the style they did it,” NBL1 South expert Matt Hickey said about the Wildcats’ effort, on The NBL1 Show.
“They won by over 20 points against Frankston, they were just terrific defensively.”
They held the Blues to just 28.8 percent from the field and to 53 points, 22 points below their season average.
Anneli Maley slices and dices the defence for 2??
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Hickey explained that their defence will be something other teams could be concerned about, as they held Opal Chloe Bibby to only 11 points and kept Ella Batish scoreless.
“That’s two really fantastic players who struggled offensively, thanks to the Wildcats’ defence. A team to watch as the Finals continue.”
The head of the defensive snake is Rebecca Pizzey, averaging 9.3 rebounds, two steals and 1.8 blocks per game – the WNBL champion has been one of the best defenders across the NBL1 South this season.
Pizzey, alongside WNBL MVP and rebounding machine Anneli Maley, makes the Wildcats an extremely difficult team to out-rebound, beating the Blues by 14 defensive rebounds in the Elimination Final.
The Wildcats advanced to take on Bec Cole’s Waverley Falcons in the Semi-Finals on Sunday, from 1:00pm AEST Live & Free via Kayo Freebies here.
