WNBL 2023-24 Round 1: Alexx Sharp Shines For UC Capitals Despite the Narrow Loss to Adelaide Lightning
WNBL 2023-24 Round 1: Alexx Sharp Shines For UC Capitals Despite the Narrow Loss to Adelaide Lightning
Alexx Sharps’s impressive Indigenous 2023-24 WNBL round 1 stats against Adelaide Lightning
After months of meticulous training, thorough groundwork, and rigorous training, the 2023-24 WNBL season tipped off this week with a bang. New roster names made it to the headlines, and surprisingly, the indigenous WNBL round produced some epic moments, wowing thousands of ecstatic fans who thronged various grounds to spirit up their basketballing idols.
As is the norm, each team rocked their unique uniforms customized by their local indigenous designers, making a colorful grandiose welcome to the new season.
Generally, the off-court vibe was impressive, while the on-court duels delivered memorable spades.
Overall, this weekend’s performances signaled a nail-biting season ahead. Coincidentally, our leading and authoritative basketball news site for Australians is prepared to walk you through every season’s development, player news bite,season-long stats, coaches’ reactions, plus a wide range of other verifiable, and balanced WNBL updates.
Before delving deeper, let’s look into Alexx Sharp, the Round 1 KJR Player of the Game! Who starred in the UC Capitals Vs. Adelaide Lightning clash that will forever be ingrained in thousands of Caps fans despite the narrow loss.
Alexx Sharps’ Stand-Out Performance
Her first time in Caps colours & what a performance! With 21 points & 19 rebounds, Alex Sharp is the Round 1 KJR Player of the Game!
Check the video below for a sneak peek into Alexx Sharp’s memorable baskets for the Caps against Adelaide Lightning
https://x.com/UCCapitals/status/1721098297371160707?s=20
Sunday’s November 5th fixture between UC Capitals and Adelaide Lightning emerged as the closely contested game of the indigenous round with a 79-82 score in favor of the latter.
Much had been talked about this epic fixture prior to the kick-off but pundits didn’t imagine that Alexx Sharp, donning the Caps colors for the first time would either, emerge as the player of the match, or make it to the renowned WNBL Indigenous team of the round.
Well, both teams take credit for incredibly similar styles of play; robust athleticism and impressively energized in-court transitions. Generally, a heated-up duel was expected!
Before the match, however, bets were on Jade Melbourne and Borlase, the two youngsters beaming with potential who unsurprisingly led their teams with equally memorable performances.
Nonetheless, it was Alexx Sharps’ moment of stardom that left everybody talking about the new talent at UC Capital’s revamped roster.
Despite her unheralded experience in the Caps roster, Sharp rose to the occasion with 21 points, 2 assists, and 19 rebounds in front of more than 1,700 fans at the iconic National Conventional Centre Canberra.
Her performance saw her being ranked among the best players of the round alongside Issy Borlase (14 points, 5 rebounds), Jordin Canada (10.5 points, 5 assists), Anneli Maley (15 points, 21 rebounds), and Zitina Aokuso (20 points, 3 rebounds).
Alexx Sharp was resultantly, announced the player of the match, but she narrowly missed the chance to be the Cygnett’s overall round 1 player to Melbourne Boomers’ Jordin Canada.
Jordin Canada, the ‘CYGNETT ROUND PLAYER’ handles the ball during the earlier round one WNBL match between Southside Flyers and Melbourne Boomers at State Basketball Centre, on November 04, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia.
While her performance was star-rated, it would be naive not to mention other supportive pillars around her team, including Jade Melbourne, Alex Fowler, Nicole Munger, and Monica Okoye.
For the opponent’s side, the winning team comprised Jocelyn Willoughby, Isabel Borlase, Brianna Turner, Lauren Mansfield, Isabelle Bourne
How The Action Went Down
Quarter 1
Adelaide were charged from the word go with Borlase registering the first points of the night. Seconds later, the Caps got their foot into the game courtesy of Monica Okoye who sank her first-ever three-pointer in the WNBL. Both teams were defensively formidable but it didn’t take long before Adelaide who seemed more agile as they opened a 10-point lead within 5 minutes.
For the home side, Fowler and Jayda Clark stamped their influence with their first league points, while Gemma Potter was making a heroic comeback after suffering a career-threatening injury that has kept her out of the game since last year’s home season opener.
Eventually, Borlase’s contribution to the visitors was monumental as she racked up 16 points helping them open an 11-point gap (Caps -10, Adelaide 31).
Quarter 2 – Caps 43- Adelaide 58
The home side this time hit the ground running with Melbourne quickly getting some free shots to lessen the gap. However, the visitors had more spread scoring partners as Bourne, Turner, and Mole shared some significant points.
Alexx Sharps’ influence grew at this stage as her sneaky tip to the captain resulted in a thrilling 3-pointer sending home fans into a frenzy mood.
The fixture got closer as both teams stepped up their intensity with the Caps shooting the bonus within the few seconds of the 5-minute rollover.
As the quarter concluded, the leading scorers from both sides were; UC Capitals- Melbourne,11 points, 3 assists, and Potter with 9 points, 1 rebound. For Adelaide; Borlase led the pack with 18 points, and 3 rebounds, followed by Willoughby with 15 points, 2 rebounds.
Quarter 3
The second half started with a bang! It is here Alexx Sharp’s scores caught the attention of fans, reporters, and the coach alike. She added to Munger’s back-to-back three-pointers prior to Fowlers’ two buckets extending their streak to 10 unanswered points.
Caps held the game tight and Adelaide remained scoreless for five minutes before Truner came to their rescue with an off-glass point.
Although the Caps still trailed Adelaide with 59 against 70 points, they staged a befitting fight leveraging their floor speed and Potter’s fast break.
Quarter 4
With eyes on the last quarter, the Caps renewed their focus thanks to Sharp’s dominance that opened the quarter’s scores with a strong layup.
Moments later, Adelaide hit back with a 3-pointer from Liz Tonks. However, Potter was lucky to keep the margin within sight with a spirited individual brilliance that resulted in three points.
Both teams held their defensive tactics tight but Fowler broke into the Adelaide ranks to get a rebound and point to the stat sheet.
Within 65 seconds of the final whistle, Alexx Sharp leveled the score as she explosively knocked down consecutive baskets for the home side.
The last moments were purely dramatic as fans kept their fingers crossed with high hopes their respective teams would hold tight. To the home fans’ disappointment, however, Adelaide’s Bourne successfully managed a 3-pointer, compelling the Caps coach, Kristen Veal to request a timeout.
Disappointingly though, with a paltry 6 seconds on the clock, the UC Capitals were deservedly unable to sink a further basket, giving Adelaide the chance to get the much-needed first win of the WNBL 2023-24 season.
