Homegrown talents add to Slammers' title push
THE Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers have continued to recruit heavily before the 2015 State Basketball League season, with the women's side signing homegrown West Coast Waves guard Kate Fielding and former Bunbury junior basketballer Shannon Verhagen.
Fielding, who made her Slammers debut back in 2002 at the age of 16, has since gone on to play for Women's National Basketball League side the West Coast Waves as well as the New Zealand national side, the Tall Ferns.
The 28-year-old guard has returned to the South West Slammers after four seasons with the Waves where she played 50 games.
It is understood the Slammers beat several clubs for her signature, including the Mandurah Magic.
Both Fielding and Verhagen have also been employed by the _South Western Times _, with Verhagen working on the paper's Real Estate section and Youth Express magazine, while Fielding will be on the general news desk.
Fielding's stint with the Tall Ferns also netted her the vice-captaincy in 2014, with her last games for the nation being in August last year where she competed at the Four Nation Tournament in China.
Fielding said it was great to be back in the South West playing for the Slammers.
"I would really like to bring some leadership to the side," she said.
"I know the Slammers have been doing well for the past few seasons and I hope to add to that."
Coach Darren Austin said Fielding had been a good player for a number of years and he was excited to have her in the side.
"I originally tried to get her back to the Slammers when I first arrived at the club," he said.
"She brings experience which is needed. Kate is also a prolific scorer which every team needs, I am sure she will do well."
Joining Fielding is Verhagen, who will add some height to the Slammers list.
"This is my first time signing an SBL contract so it's pretty exciting," she said.
"I stopped playing serious basketball for a few years while I studied in Perth so I'm keen to get my skills back up.
"I played with the Under 18 Slammers team, so I've played with a couple of the girls in this year's squad before which is nice."
The Slammers play the Lakeside Lighting on March 15.
