BALLARAT Rush will take on its toughest road double of the South East Australian Basketball League season at full strength, with import Steph Cumming and Sophie Alexander back on deck.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Each return from injury and will fly to Tasmania with Integra Ballarat Rush on Friday morning.
They will suit up against Hobart on Friday night and Launceston on Sunday in a weekend that has the potential to cement Ballarat’s hold on a top-two position in the women’s east conference.
Cumming is back after recovering from the effects of a dislocated small finger, while Alexander has shaken off shoulder trouble.
Cumming and Alexander have been instrumental in Rush beginning the season with four wins in five outings.
Despite missing one game, Cumming is leading Ballarat’s point scorers with 88 points for a team-best average of 22.
Alexander is enjoying a breakout season.
After getting limited opportunities off the bench in her previous three SEABL seasons – averaging 3.6 – Alexander is contributing 11.5 as one of five Rush players in double figures.
In other welcome news, Kasey Burton will also make the trip after initially looking like missing the games.
Rush head coach Peter Cunningham said Ballarat has an opportunity to make a statement in these games.
Having played the least number of games of any teams in the SEABL, Cunningham said a couple of wins would have them well placed.
Hobart is fourth in the south conference on four wins and four losses, while Launceston is one spot below the Chargers with two wins in six outings.
As well as having its full roster back together, Rush’s chances on Friday night have also been enhanced by Hobart’s loss of Opals squad member Emma Langford.
After playing just three games with the Chargers, in which she has averaged close to 20 points, Langford has suffered a season-ending ankle injury.
Cunningham said that, as disappointing as it was for Langford, her absence certainly boosted Ballarat’s prospects against a line-up coming off a 51-point thrashing of Knox, and a two-point victory over Sandringham.
david.brehaut@fairfaxmedia.com.au