Isaac
Years ago
Tolo named Round 4 WNBL POTW
Canberra Capitals centre Marianna Tolo has been named the Player of the Week after two dominant performances in Round 4 of the Women's National Basketball League.
The league’s leading shot blocker, averaging 2.5 blocks per game, was instrumental in the Capitals Friday night win over a talented Sydney Uni Flames line up.
Matched up against Olympians Suzy Batkovic-Brown and Natalie Porter, Tolo came up trumps with 23 points, a monster 15 rebounds and five blocks in the two-point win.
The former Mackay junior backed up that performance with 21 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals on Sunday as the Capitals inflicted Adelaide’s first defeat of the season.
Tolo played a big part in the Capitals 2008/09 Grand Final triumph and with fellow Opal Abby Bishop out due to a shoulder injury, the 196cm centre has been the Capitals’ principal post player.
Besides leading the league in blocked shots, the weekend haul brings Tolo into the league’s top four players for total rebounds, grabbing 8.5 per game, and into the top six for points per game (16.7) and field goal percentage (54.7).
Tolo’s Canberra teammate Jess Bibby also turned in two great performances on the weekend, firing from 3-point range in both games to nail 3-of-5 attempts and go for 15 points against Sydney and 6-of-9 from beyond the arc for a team high 22 points against Adelaide.
Other noteworthy performances from Round 4 included:
ADELAIDE LIGHTNING: Following up on her Player of the Week performance in Round 3 Angela Marino led the Lightning again, top scoring in two matches with 20 points against the AIS and 23 against Canberra. Marino added 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals against the AIS and converted 4-of-8 attempts from 3-point range against Canberra.
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF SPORT: Tayla Roberts led the Institute with 14 points and 4 rebounds against Adelaide.
BENDIGO SPIRIT: Kristi Harrower posted a game high 22 points to go with 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Louise McLean was in support with 12 points and an equal team high 6 rbeounds.
BULLEEN BOOMERS: Liz Cambage tallied game high numbers in points (19), including 8-of-9 from the field at 89 per cent, and rebounds (9) against the Rangers.
CANBERRA CAPITALS: Point guard Natalie Hurst hit the game winner with only seconds remaining against Sydney Uni to tally 12 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in support of Tolo and Bibby before bagging 17 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals against Adelaide.
DANDENONG RANGERS: Caitlin Ryan led the Rangers against Bulleen. She drained 4-of-9 attempts from beyond the arc to tally a team best 14 points. Stephanie Cumming led the Rangers with 18 points and added 3 rebounds against Bendigo while new recruit Jess Mahony shone in her second game with the Rangers as she bagged 10 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists.
LOGAN THUNDER: Forward/centre Biancia Abbott totalled 21 points and 12 rebounds for her first double double of the season.
PERTH LYNX: Kate Malpass scored team high points on a double road trip with 17 points against Townsville and 18 points against Logan. Malpass was also effective defensively with 6 rebounds and 3 steals against the Fire and added 4 steals, 4 assists and 3 rebounds against Logan.
SYDNEY UNI FLAMES: Suzy Batkovic-Brown was the best of the Flames with 24 points, 10 rebounds, 5 steals and 4 blocks. Deanna Smith had her best game thus far for her new club with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 2 steals.
TOWNSVILLE FIRE: Amy Lewis and Aneka Davis scored 20 points apiece to lead all scorers. Davis bagged 13 points to complete the double double while Lewis grabbed 3 rebounds and 3 steals.
