While the Alloyfold Canterbury Wildcats have been competing in the #SalsNBL 18in18, some of their family have been playing elsewhere in the world
Mary Goulding and Helen Matthews have made stunning starts to their careers with new teams in November.
Mary is playing her first season in the Australian Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) and making a strong impression for the Bendigo Spirit. Unfortunately the Spirit are at the foot of the WNBL ladder but Mary’s efforts have been noteworthy. Elevated into the starting five Mary posted 6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in her debut game against defending champions Southside Flyers.
Her best performance came against Townsville Fire when she scored 19 points on 9 of 12 shooting. In her eight games to date Mary is third on the Spirit scoring averaging 8 points per game along with 4.6 rebounds and a pair of steals per game.
Helen Matthews was hugely impressive in her NCAA Division I debut game for Wofford College. The Wofford Terriers were too good for Winthrop winning 65-50. Helen put together a fine stats line of 9 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists – the combo guard playing 27 minutes as a starter.
Amiee Book is in her Junior (third) year at California State Fullerton and although the Titans took a pounding from UCLA (98-49) Amiee rattled in a team high 20 points making 4 of 8 shots from beyond the 3-point arc.
Also in her Junior year is Tsubasa Nisbet at Georgia Southern University where the Eagles have begun their season with a win and a loss. Tsubasa averaged 5 points and 4 rebounds across the two games.
Sophomore (second year) Charlotte Whittaker scored 21 points across University of Colorado Buffaloes opening two games shooting at a very handy 60% (9/15). The Buffs recorded two wins to kick start their season.
Ashlee Strawbridge (College of Southern Idaho) and Molly Cockburn (Miles Community College) are also in the States but their seasons have been delayed until January.
Disappointing news for Sofia Kennedy (University of Windsor) is that the 2020-21 Canadian collegiate season has been cancelled entirely due to the issues created by COVID 19.
We will continue to keep you updated in the coming weeks on the performances of our Wildcats overseas.
Photos courtesy each respective team/league. WNBL Photos courtesy of the WNBL and Getty Images.
