New import Shelby Cheslek fitted in seemlessly with her new team mates to record a double double in her first game as a TripBookee Pirate. After getting off the plane 10 hrs before tip off, Cheslek had a 40 minute morning shoot around and walk through with Coaches Scott McKenzie and Chris Rideout (Head coach Chainey is still in the US with the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury) before the Gold Coast game in the evening. Cheslek finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds at 75% from the field. Guards, Maddy Willey and Sidney Parsons, both flirted with a triple double, with both being 2 rebounds and 2 assists shy of what is a rare statistical event. Gold Coast were undersized and had no answer for the Pirate bigs, Skye Rees, Savannah Au and Amanda Beatson were 65% from the field combined. Pirates win easy 73-40.
Cheslek, at 6'5", has great hands, runs the floor well, and passes well out of the post. She has a great sense of where to be on the floor to be most effective. Add in her rebounding, scoring and shot blocking and the Pirates have found themselves another treasure.
The WCMG Pirate men struggled to contain Gold Coast super recruit Torrey Craig. The Bullets MVP was off the charts in efficiency. Christian Pang and Jake Allen were given the task of containing the athletic wing man but Craig was just at another level finishing with 42 points at 62% from the field Dwayne Vale and other import Devon Sullivan provided good support. McGrew had 21 and 16 boards, Jake Allen had 25 points and 17 yo Tyrell Harrrsion showed his potential with 9 points and 12 rebounds. Pirates lost 92-95
The Colourfast SBL teams both dominated the Redlands Pride. The men won 93 - 57. Three consecutive three pointers by Jackson Pollock busted the game open, Sebit Ajang and Pollock had 18 points apiece and Abe Yaak worked hard for his 14 points.
For the Colourfast women Jada Shultz and Taylor Valach played well for 16 and 14 points against their former club and Sisi Vodo-Rasova had 15. Every player contributed running out easy winners 77-47.