By ADEM SARICAOGLU
WERRIBEE’S boom recruit Jodi Impey has understandably stolen much of the limelight during the Big V off-season in the lead-up to this weekend’s season launch.
The Devils managed to woo Impey out of retirement plans after she dominated Division Two with the Keilor Thunder during its championship run of 2013.
While Werribee coach Lloyd Klaman admits Impey’s impact off the court has already been massive and will be just as invaluable on it, he said the Devils’ younger brigade coming through might turn a few heads themselves this season.
“All those young kids we put a lot of time into last year I thought were going to just drop down and play Youth League, but they’re really beating up the seniors for a few spots,” Klaman explained.
“You’ve got girls like Georgia Tauschke and Georgia Perry who are both 19-years-old and pushing for Australian spots and they’ve looked really good.
“Then you’ve got Olivia Klaman. I think she was fourth in the league in three-point percentage last year and she along with Teaghan Doyle is really pushing for decent minutes in the team as well.”
Former player-coach Sharon Plichter is making her comeback after having 2013 off.
But it’s the return of playmaker Elisha Burnette – who did play 16 games last year – that has Klaman licking his lips, declaring she is “a whole new player”.
“This time last year she was only one month after giving birth,” he said.
“So she started halfway through the season and just coming back two months after having the baby, she never really found her basketball legs until the season was just about finished.
“Now she’s started this season (in practice games) as arguably our best player. She looks fantastic and she’s getting better and better every game, and she’s getting her athleticism back.”
Werribee is now in Division One but the jump hasn’t fazed Klaman – who said he’d be “disappointed” if his Devils couldn’t reach the finals.
Their season tips off on Saturday at home to the Sunbury Jets.
