Giants women looking to regroup after torrid weekend

Goldfields Giants women’s coach Jaymi Worthington pledged the merits of a long season and better overall depth in the coming weeks after the squad was last weekend dealt two hefty defeats on the road to open the NBL1 West season.

Worthington’s first two games at the helm were marred by 105-47 and 116-45 losses against Lakeside and Rockingham, respectively.

But with Asian recruit Jhazmin Joson due to arrive this week and home games fixtured at Niels Hansen Stadium for the next two Saturdays, Worthington said the entire group was keeping the faith.

German international Anne Zipser led the Giants’ charge in the opener with 19 points and 11 rebounds, and Aimee Bochet hauled in 10 rebounds.

On Sunday, Gaby Clancy starred off the bench with 13 points and nine rebounds.

But Worthington conceded it was a challenging two games to start the season.

“On Sunday, we had (US guard) Lauren Fech available, but she had just arrived in Perth on the Saturday afternoon from a 36-hour trip,” she said.

“As it was, she was keen just to get on the court (and) to get a game under her belt and she gave us everything she had.

““Hopefully, this weekend will be a lot less taxing for everyone — obviously because we’re at home, but no doubt that first (road) was a wake-up call (because) they were fatigued after getting on a bus at 5.30am and you need to get acclimatised to that.

“The girls will, and it was tough but all of them remain in great spirits.”

Alex Clinch-Hoycard is edging closer to full fitness following a thumb injury and Chloe Zorzi and Ashlee Monaghan will soon be available after WA under-18 commitments.

“We know we’ve got a long way to go,” Worthington said.

“But everyone’s committed to re-focusing and getting some areas sorted — hopefully starting this weekend against Joondalup.

“All things going we’ll, having her (Joson) available this weekend ... would be a relief because we lacked some general ballhandlers which meant that other girls filling those roles were very much playing out of position.

“They they did a fantastic job, but it was difficult juggling players without that usual depth.

“What we’re aiming for is everyone being able to play their proper roles and overall, just be a better-balanced team.”