BSBL women’s: Returning star Tiahna Sears leads Tornadoes Black to 75-point win over Conquerors

A Tornadoes Black outfit bolstered by the inclusion of star Tiahna Sears sent a message to the rest of the Bunbury Senior Basketball League women’s A-grade competition with a 75-point win over Conquerors at South West Sports Centre on Friday night. Playing her first game of the season, Sears started her campaign in typical style in her side’s dominant 130-55 performance, producing the biggest individual scoring effort of the season with 57 points. She formed a potent combination with fellow star Zaya Black, who contributed 39 points of her own. Black came into the contest with only six players — four fewer than their opponents — but the group featured four with significant NBL1 West experience in Sears, Black, Javene Fitch (15 points) and Ebony Bilcich. The numerical disadvantage proved no obstacle for Black, who dominated for the duration of the game to lead by 16 points at the first break, 43 at half-time, and 60 at the final interval. Despite her side’s heavy defeat, Shontai Farrant continued her good season for Conquerors, scoring 20 points. In the other fixture, Tornadoes Red moved to the top of the ladder with a 34-point victory over Aces Sky. A Sky outfit without leading scorer Addison Edwards struggled on the offensive end in an 84-50 defeat which saw them tumble down to third, having come into the round in first. After a tight first quarter which saw only 21 total points scored, Red took control of the contest with a 54-26 run across the second and third terms. Grace Adams led Red in scoring with 23 points and was one of four double-digit scorers on the night for her side, while Sky were paced in scoring by Isabella Wilmot (13 points).