Flames women continue winning streak
The Rockingham Flames men's side played their third double-header in a row at the weekend, while the women's team continued their winning run.
The vastly undermanned men were able to salvage a split, losing to the South West Slammers 123-106 but defeating the Kalamunda Eastern Suns 96-78.
The women's team remained unbeaten, crushing the Slammers 94-65 and surviving a scare against Kalamunda but prevailing 78-76.
For the men, the split moves their record to 5-4, with the women in first place at 7-0.
The Lady Flames were impressive on Friday night in Eaton as they ran the Slammers off the court, putting up 20 points early in the first quarter.
Sami Whitcomb, who is poised to sign with the Perth Lynx subject to her Australian citizenship approval, led with 24 points, while Kate Williams scored 18.
Kalamunda were able to give them some problems by forcing them to attempt 47 three-point shots, by far the most Rockingham has taken this season.
Rockingham made 15 of those three-point attempts, just enough to edge out the Suns.
The men's team played both games with a depleted roster and without head coach Mark Utley.
The absences did not prevent Rockingham from putting together two inspiring performances. The Flames kept up with the top-of-the-table Slammers for two quarters on Friday before Bunbury eventually pulled away in the third, and on Saturday Rockingham was able to have a strong fourth quarter to capture a win they desperately needed.
Flames rookie Chad Simpson, filling in for the injured Cooper Land, scored 14 points on Friday and 18 on Saturday in his first career starts.
Taylor Land kept the Flames close for as long as he could on Friday with 20 points and nine assists, while Ryan Godfrey and Tommy Remmerswall led the way on Saturday with 26 and 22 points respectively.
Up next is the Peel region derby as the Flames take on the Mandurah Magic at 2pm and 4pm on Saturday at the Mike Barnett Sports Complex in Rockingham.
