THE LIGHTNING REPORT 2020: PART 2

We take a closer look at the 2020 Adelaide Lightning key statistical areas and the club leaders after the 2020 WNBL Season. Second up is a look at the defensive end of the floor… Lightning DEFENCE

Opposition Scoring

The Lightning conceded 1071 points in the 2020 season opposed to their offensive output of 918 points finishing with a percentage of 85 across their 13 games. The least number of points conceded (excluding the overtime in game one) in a quarter was against the Bendigo Spirit in the second quarter in their round five clash of 11 points. The most was against the Southside Flyers in the third quarter of their first game on the Saturday of round three of 32 points.

In 49 percent of the quarters played the Lightning conceded 20-29 points a quarter, while 45 percent of the time it was 10-19 points. The most expensive quarter was the first with an average of 22 points per game, while the second to fourth were evenly spread with 18-19 points per quarter.

Rebounding

Total Rebounds

• Steph Talbot 117
• Marena Whittle 69
• Alex Wilson 56
• Chelsea Brook 53
• Louella Tomlinson 39
• Carlie Smith 38

Offensive Rebounds

• Marena Whittle 25
• Chelsea Brook 21
• Steph Talbot 19
• Carlie Smith 15
• Louella Tomlinson 12

Defensive Rebounds

• Steph Talbot 98
• Alex Wilson 50
• Marena Whittle 44
• Chelsea Brook 32
• Louella Tomlinson 27

Offensive Rebounds converted to Points

• Steph Talbot 10
• Chelsea Brook 10
• Marena Whittle 6
• Alex Wilson 4
• Louella Tomlinson 3
• Carlie Smith 3

Steals

• Steph Talbot 25
• Marena Whittle 15
• Alex Wilson 13
• Carlie Smith 13

Steals converted to Points

• Steph Talbot 7
• Marena Whittle 7
• Alex Wilson 7
• Carlie Smith 3

Analysis

Correlating with the offensive output in the part one of this analysis, an average of 14-22 in points resulted in a differential of -8. This meant the Lightning were starting second quarters on average three to four baskets at least behind making catch up play a factor majority of the season. This is opposed to second to third quarters close to breakeven with 18-20 points on average for both teams per quarter.

Talbot is a runaway winner within the defensive statistics and when she gets the ball in her hands more opportunities tend to be converted; 17 scores resulted from Talbot’s presence through the season at the defensive end. The presence of Whittle and Carlie Smith can’t be underestimated either for the court time they had producing solid figures in rebounding and conversion at the offensive end of the floor.

The Lightning will be keen to convert more opportunities across their squad when the ball is stolen or rebounded offensively to create second chance points. This will add to their fast break offense we saw through the season for the 2021 campaign.