SCHWAGMEYER CONFIDENT LYNX CAN RECAPTURE FORM AHEAD OF GAME 2
By Megan Hustwaite.
Ali Schwagmeyer believes Perth Lynx can recapture their best form to level the WNBL Semi-Final series with the UC Capitals tonight.
The Lynx enjoyed success against the UC Capitals during the regular season but fell 75-96 in Game 1 at the AIS Arena last Friday night.
After a slow start, the Lynx regrouped to win the second quarter 27-10 and take a five-point lead at half time but the Caps produced some of their basketball in the second half to build a lead the visitors couldn’t reel in.
Schwagmeyer revealed to The WNBL Show that her side knows where it needs to improve at Bendat Basketball Centre.
“We’re just really excited we get to stay at home and don’t have to travel this week. It gives us a little bit more time to do that extra prep we need,’’ she said.
“In the finals, you can’t dwell too much, you just have to learn from what you did and you have to bounce back.
“There’s five/six days between these two games, obviously we’ve gone through a lot of film, saw some areas we could work on. We’re super confident that if we can fix those areas then it can be a really good match for us.
“Rebounding is massive for us, not allowing Canberra to get those second and third possession opportunities.
“In the second quarter of Game 1, we held them to something like eight points and I think the game changer there was we played really good defence. But then we would allow them to get a rebound and they’d get another chance.
“In that second quarter, they were getting one chance. For us, rebounding is so, so massive. And when we rebound it allows us to get out in offensive transition and we’re a really good offensive transition team.”
Schwagmeyer says a team effort is needed to get over a talent-filled team like Canberra.
“Any of the top four teams are difficult to play. Canberra obviously has a lot of individual talent on their team and so you can’t just focus on one or two people you’ve got to focus on three or four people.
“(Marianna) Tolo being back and having her presence inside sucks teams in as well and opens things up for the perimeter.
“It’s just stuff that you have to be aware of but also at the end of the day everyone is human. If we stick with the game plan and really try to take them out of their game then I’m pretty confident in that.”
The Chicago export has been lapping up the beautiful West Australian beaches and joined the Lynx after success in the SBL with the Lakeside Lightning, following a WNBL path similar to that of Sami Whitcomb.
Schwagmeyer described the standard of the WNBL as world class and picked some of her toughest individual battles.
“Nia Coffey, she’s a great athlete, Kia Nurse is really good as well and can knock down the three but can also get into the paint, Suzy Batkovic– you’ve always got to keep an eye on her. There’s just been so many good match-ups.”
Listen to Ali Schwagmeyer on The WNBL Show here.
The WNBL Show airs every Tuesday during the Chemist Warehouse WNBL season.