Mandurah Magic women win Katanning Carnival, prepare for pre-season blitz

In an effort to get more match fitness under their belt, the Magic played six games against country sides at the carnival, taking out the top prize.

Coach Randy Miegel said it was encouraging to see the team show off some good form and get needed games into their legs before the regular season begins in March.

“I think getting the side to play some games together before the season starts is pretty important,” he said.

“We’ve got a core group of girls who have been together for two or three seasons now so the chemistry is good, but there’s no real substitute for match fitness.”

The Magic, who recently returned to their home courts at the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre, are now turning their focus to the State Basketball League’s pre-season blitz event at Warwick Stadium on the first weekend of March.

The side will take on fellow SBL outfits Perth, Rockingham and Cockburn along with a game against the Malaysian national women’s team who were invited to the event.

Coach Miegel said the side had been training hard to prepare for the coming season.

“It’s been great to be back on our home courts and the girls have had a strong pre-season,” he said.

“We’ve had a healthy start to the year.”

Maintaining that health will be pivotal for the Magic’s hopes at a deep run into the finals this season, after their 2016 campaign was hampered by injuries.

The team still managed to finish fifth on the back of a late hot streak and played finals, but early injuries tested their depth.

This year, the side is hoping their mix of youth and experience can help them contend with SBL Women’s heavyweights like Joondalup and Rockingham.

“I feel we’ve got a really good mix. A few of our players have been around for a while and they’re really helping the younger ones come into their roles,” Miegel said.

“We don’t really have expectations on the season but constant improvement is what we’re hoping to see.”

Mandurah’s pre-season blitz kicks off against Rockingham at 9am on Saturday, March 4.