Tue | Aug 20, 2024

Aiken-George helps Thunderbirds finish top of regular season

Published:Monday | July 15, 2024 | 12:08 AM
Thunderbirds and Sunshine Girls trio, Latanya Wilson (right), Romelda Aiken-George (second right) and Shamera Sterling-Humphrey (centre) help get their team ready for a Suncop Super Netball League game.
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Thunderbirds and Sunshine Girls trio, Latanya Wilson (right), Romelda Aiken-George (second right) and Shamera Sterling-Humphrey (centre) help get their team ready for a Suncop Super Netball League game.

ADELAIDE, Australia (CMC):

JAMAICAN ROMELDA Aiken-George starred as Adelaide Thunderbirds held off a late surge from Sunshine Coast Lightning to secure a thrilling 64-62 victory in the final game of the Australian Super Netball Championship regular season yesterday.

The contest at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre was on even keel with the scores tied at 60, but Georgie Horjus knocked down a crucial supershot, and Aiken-George followed up with two goals, to push the hosts over the line.

Goal-shooter Aiken-George finished with 44 goals from 51 attempts while goal attack Horjus supported with 10 from 14.

For the losers, Cara Koenen led with 24 from 27 attempts, receiving help from Stephanie Fretwell, who bagged 20 from 24.

Thunderbirds dominated early, leading 18-15 after the first quarter before also controlling the second quarter to come away with a 35-29 half-time lead.

The teams could not be separated in the third quarter, ending in a 16-all deadlock, but Lightning outscored Thunderbirds 17-13 to create a dramatic finish to the contest.

On Saturday at the RAC Arena in Perth, another Jamaican Sunshine Girl, Jhaniele Fowler, was the stand-out as West Coast Fever dominated Melbourne Mavericks 76-57.

HALF-TIME ADVANTAGE

The 34-year-old Fowler netted 67 from 68 attempts in a near-perfect outing, Fever controlling the match from the outset after racing to a 20-15 lead at the end of the first quarter before securing a 34-30 half-time advantage.

Fever then stamped their authority in the third quarter, outshooting Mavericks 22-13 to set up an easy run in the final quarter.

Fowler’s international teammate, Shimona Jok, made the running for Mavericks by shooting 30 goals from 33 attempts.

Thunderbirds ended the regular season on top the table with 44 points, the same as the Melbourne Vixens, and the Fever.

The Thunderbirds ended the season with a 121.11 goals average, just ahead of the Vixens, 111.56, and the Fever, 111.04.

The season leaders take on the Vixens next Saturday for a place in the final, while third-place Fever clash with fourth-place Lightning (24) in the other semi-final.