Mind the gap — top two teams continue to streak away in women’s Geraldton Basketball Association

It was not a night for those hoping for a close game as Stateside and Olympians continued to be the benchmark of this competition, breezing past their opponents on Tuesday night. Stateside took on the Pumas in the early game with the Scorpions never really facing much of a challenge in their 72-38 win. Stateside were coming off a scratchy performance against Trades in which they saved their blushes late to win by one point. Pumas were hoping they could cause an upset after playing some impressive basketball of late including pushing the undefeated Olympians into overtime. However, Stateside were in no mood to be locked into a dogfight as they were led once again by power forward Charlotte Kennedy. Pumas chose a bad night to be off with their field shooting often falling short, with the Scorpions ready to punish on fast transitions as they garnered a double-digit lead early in the piece. When Pumas were caught in transition and got their defence in place they were a far more challenging side, as Stateside were unable to find ways through with the shot clock winding down on them on more than one occasion. But while it stemmed the scoring Stateside lifted their own defence. The only thing not going Stateside’s way was they were giving away fouls because of that defence, but Pumas’ shooting woes carried over to the line. Despite the Scorpions’ 20 fouls to the Pumas’ nine Stateside somehow managed to outscore Pumas from the free-throw line 10-9. Stateside led 38-21 at the half with Kennedy having 16 points and Millie Gerreyn the next best with eight for the Pumas. In the second half Kennedy continued to use her height advantage to dominate the Pumas defence on her way to 30 points — her best game of the season. Pumas scored just 17 points in the second half with Gerreyn the only player to get into double digits with 12. Damiris Simpson was next best with nine. The later game between Olympians and Chapman Valley was just as one-sided. The Warriors have not won a single game thus far having the worst defensive record in the league, while the Olympians have the best and were easy winners 68-37 on the night. Prudence Harrison had her best game with 17 points along with Sophie Maines who also had her best game. Gemma Dix had only six points — the first time she has recorded less than 10 this season. Ashton Ducas did her best with 12 while Natalie Caruana was next best with eight as their wait for a first win continues into another week.