Isaac
Years ago
Summerton nabs POTM for January
While the Crocs were rampant in the NBL giving John Rillie Player of the Month and Ian Stacker Coach of the Month, Laura Summerton of the Adelaide Quit Lightning in the WNBL was picking up a couple of awards of her own.
- Player of the Month
- Top Field Goal Percentage for the season
Here's the press release:
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4 February 2005
Monthly WNBL honour for Adelaide's shooting sensation
Adelaide QUIT Lightning forward, Laura Summerton, leads her team into the minor semi final against Sydney Uni tonight having been showered with accolades this week, including her latest gong, January's 'Price Attack' Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) Player of the Month award.
21-year-old Summerton was Player of the Week on two occasions in January and was this week awarded the top field goal shooting award for the season. Summerton averaged 53.8% from the field during the 2004/05 regular season and in January, it topped 58.6%.
Summerton led the Lightning to two wins in Round 16 and against the Townsville Fire had a career-high 35 points at 70 percent and eight rebounds as her team overcame a loud and parochial crowd and a rampaging Chandi Jones (45 points) to douse the Fire's 2004/05 chances, 101-99.
With that nail biter under their belts, the Lightning travelled to Sydney for a game at the Sydney Entertainment Centre against the Flames where Summerton continued her outstanding form with 10 rebounds and 25 points at 55%.
In another tight match, the Lightning took the win from the hometown favourites, and gave the Athens Olympian 60 points at 63 percent for the round and the league scoring lead at 19.5ppg. She also averaged nine rebounds and 2.5 assists.
In the final round of WNBL competition for the 25th anniversary season, she had two standout games at home, leading her team to an upset win over league leaders Dandenong on Friday night and helping in a cruisy win over the AIS on Sunday afternoon.
The Athens Olympic silver medallist had 49 points across the weekend at 57.5% and pulled down 16 rebounds, including a career-equalling best eight offensive boards against Dandenong.
Summerton finished the season second in the league in points per game with 19.9 and really made an impact in the league for her team, helping fill gaps left by the departures of Rachael Sporn and Michelle Brogan.
Summerton will be a key in an Adelaide victory tonight, working with captain Jenni Screen and guard Erin Phillips.
Coach Chris Lucas has a lot of faith in his trio of stars and they are backed up by Cherie Smith and Erin Seward.
With the Finals so evenly matched, there is plenty of exciting action in the two semi final matches this weekend.
Tune into www.SportRadio.com.au from 7pm tonight for all the action in Adelaide's match against Sydney Uni, and tomorrow, make sure you book your place in front of the tele from 4pm when Dandenong play Bulleen Melbourne in the major semi final in Melbourne. The game will be broadcast LIVE on ABC-TV and will also show highlights of Friday night's match. Keep an eye on www.wnbl.com.au for the boxscores, game reports, photos and analysis.
Player of the Month is awarded in the week following the final round of each month and is determined by the League office. A player must win a Player of the Week award to be eligible for a Player of the Month award.
The Price Attack WNBL is proudly supported by Yakult, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Interfuse, Molten, Virgin Blue, Coast 2 Coast and Thermoskin.
For further media information and interviews contact:
Rachel Wolters, Basketball Australia (02) 9701 8431 or 0408 662 027
'PRICE ATTACK' WNBL FINALS
Minor semi final
Sydney Uni Flames v Adelaide QUIT Lightning
Friday, February 4, 2005 @ 7:30pm
Sydney Uni Sports and Aquatic Centre
Major semi final
Dandenong Jayco Rangers v Bulleen Melbourne Boomers
Saturday, February 5, 2005 @ 4pm
Dandenong Basketball Stadium
LIVE coverage on ABC-TV
Preliminary final
To be decided
4pm, Saturday 12 February
LIVE coverage on ABC-TV
Grand final
To be decided
4pm, Saturday 19 February
LIVE coverage on ABC-TV
