Prue Scott
EXPERIENCED point-guard Prue Scott will break her retirement for Ballarat Rush tonight.
Scott will suit up to help bolster an injury-hit Auslec Rush in the short-term.
Forwards Ash Stonehouse (knee) and Kelly Richardson (calf) remain sidelined for at least another three weeks and guard Cass Hobbs (knee) is out for the season.
Rush expects its American import to arrive late next week and until she is settled, Scott will step up on court – starting with the South East Australian Basketball League’s defending women’s champion Dandenong at the Minerdome.
Scott’s return follows stints from former Ballarat Miners Phil Benn and Adam McSwain, who lent their games to help the club cover the walk-out of two initial American imports to start the season.
Scott retired from SEABL championship competition two years ago, opting to take a leadership role with the Rush D-League team last season and secured all-star five selection.
She has not played SEABL this year.
Rush coach Donna Rinaldi said Scott did not miss a beat at training this week.
“Prue’s a really good addition,” Rinaldi said.
“She’s fitted in well with the team and will help us for rotations.”
Scott has a reputation as a prolific scorer and will be sought to shoot strong from the perimetre against the Lady Rangers.
Rush has focused on improving its shooting after below-par efforts the past couple of matches, particularly against towering rivals.
There is no room for error against the east conference heavyweight – Rinaldi said the Lady Rangers punish every slip or bad passage.
“Dandenong has a mental edge on the competition – people think they are unbeatable but they have lost a couple of games this season, which has proven they can be beaten,” Rinaldi said.
“They are defending champions and have a lot of WNBL experience, on court and all through the bench.
“We’re positive about the job at hand but we’re going to have to play really well.”
Rush is out to bounce back from a three-point loss to fellow south conference rival Hobart last Saturday at the Minerdome.