IF THE women’s SBL teams thought the top-of-the-table Mandurah Magic could not get any stronger, they were wrong.
If there was one thing the Magic team needed, it was a six-foot-five centre to take the pressure off the smaller forwards.
Former Auburn University and VS Praha basketball player Peyton Davis arrived in town 10 days ago to be the Magic women’s new import. She said she hoped she could have an immediate impact.
“A little bit of size, obviously I am six-foot-five, hopefully a little bit of scoring inside as well and some really aggressive defence as well,” she said of her possible contributions.
“The Magic made it into the playoffs last season and I really want to help us go further this year.”
Davis has come from playing for VS Praha in the Czech Republic, where she averaged 2.9 points and 3.2 boards a game.
“It’s been really different. I just came from Prague and not a whole lot of English was spoken. The people are so great; the coaches and the girls have taken me in.”
Prior to that, she played for American College Basketball Division 1 team Auburn University where she was one of their top rebounders.
She said she was not expecting to put up huge numbers and will focus more on defence and helping out her teammates.
“I’ve never been one to put up 30 or 40 points but if I can put up 15 points and eight rebounds, that would be good,” she said.
“I want to free them up to keep shooting. It’s not about stats for me, and I’m not going to force something that’s not there.
“If the opportunity comes I’ll kick it out to one of the girls who will knock it down.
“Rebound for sure, aggressive and putting some pressure on the ball.”
Mandurah coach Randy Miegel said Davis’ defence and rebounding were going to be important additions to his side.
“She will be a big help against the bigger sides. She will be able to counter the other talls,” he said. “She’s good in defence and is strong at passing; she’s going to fit in well.”
“She’s not going to score 30 points or anything but she will be a good player.”
Randy said they went for Davis over their import from last season Hailey Dunham because of the evolving competition. “There was nothing wrong with Hailey. She was a good player, and we just felt that we needed a taller girl to match it with the other teams,” he said.
Davis, 22, was hoping to have an immediate impact; however, she has been slowed by an ankle injury.
She didn’t make her debut against the Lakeside Lightning (0-6)last weekend and is no certainty to play against the East Perth Eagles (0-7) and Cockburn Cougars (3-4) this weekend.
The Magic (6-0) are coming off a 67-57 win against the Lakeside Lightning with star guard Casey Mihovilovich having her second consecutive 30-point game.
Mihovilovich was well supported by the Klasztorny sisters, Briana and Emma, who scored points 14 and seven points respectively.
Miegel said he was happy to get a win last weekend.
“We fell asleep again, for a period, something we’ve done in every game,” he said.
“We have two games this weekend, which will be pretty tough on the girls after playing last Saturday in Morley.
“East Perth might not have won a game but they only lost by four points last week and have been getting better each week.”
Miegel said the player they would have to watch for against Cockburn would be captain/coach Diana Smith.