The season opener was far from expected in Cayman Islands women’s basketball.
The 2012 Cayman Islands Basketball Association national women’s league saw a pair of upsets last Saturday. At the University College of the Cayman Islands multipurpose hall the Dominos Lady Heels toppled the Home Gas Flames 67-28 while Welly’s Cool Spot defeated the Lady Wolves 36-28.
Dominos and Home Gas squared off in last year’s finals, with the Flames walking away as first-time champions. The Lady Heels atoned for that defeat in large part thanks to Kamilla Nagy’s game-high 21 points (including three three-pointers). Nagy had left Grand Cayman previously but rediscovered her groove quickly alongside Joanne Remillard (14 points, four rebounds).
Home Gas started the game slow and never recovered. The Flames look completely rebuilt with a number of new faces like top scorer Sade Wood (16 points off four treys and seven rebounds). To continue harbouring hopes of a repeat, Home Gas will need more production from Taylor Reid and Robyn Sanderson (one point and two rebounds combined).
The other contest was a defensive struggle with Welly’s pulling away in the second half. The youngsters, who are essentially Under-19 girls, had good efforts from the likes of Chloe Powery (nine points, five rebounds), Rochel Gardener (seven points, four steals) and Christina McLean (six points, six steals).
For the Lady Wolves, the loss is a dull start for a bright team in its second year of existence. Last season’s regular season champions had some positive showings from Theresa Hamil (17 points, 12 rebounds) and Beneica Thompson (nine points, 14 rebounds).
League action continues this Thursday, 2 February, at UCCI. At 6pm Dominos and Welly’s clash in a battle for the top spot and at 7pm the Lady Wolves tackle rookie club the Island Heritage Silver Mist.
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