CBL | Gallery | Shepparton Lady Gators fall to 0-2 after Blaster mauling

By Zac Standish

Oct 11, 2022

Star performer: Seymour’s Tayha Watkins was dominant on Saturday night, recording 30 points in the Blasters’ big win. Photo by Megan Fisher

Shepparton Lady Gators slumped to a second straight defeat to start their 2022-23 North East Women Country Basketball League campaign, falling to a rampant Seymour 91-36.

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After sitting out the first round of the new campaign, the reigning premier Lady Blasters returned to the court with vigour on Saturday night, wiping the floor with the Gators from start to finish at Shepparton Sports Stadium.

In her face: Seymour’s Olivia Pearce defends Shepparton’s Alex Marshall. Photo by Megan Fisher

Tayha Watkins was the star of the night for the visiting Blasters, dropping 30 points in an eye-catching performance.

Maddison Ford was also prominent, recording 20 points to get her season off to a fast start.

At the ready: Shepparton’s Abby Commadeur. Photo by Megan Fisher

While Ebony Grace played a lone hand for the Gators, finishing with 16 points, to be a bright spot on an otherwise grim night.

Wanting to make an early statement against the inexperienced Gators, Seymour was clinical in the first term, opening up a 17-point lead at quarter-time.

Composure: Seymour’s Tayha Watkins. Photo by Megan Fisher

From there the class of the Blasters continued to blossom, putting up 21 second-quarter points to Shepparton’s nine to skip to a 29-point half-time buffer.

And, while it could have easily put the cue in the rack, Seymour showed its championship pedigree in the third, racking up another 28 points to extend the margin past 45 points.

In the post: Seymour’s Tayha Watkins takes on Shepparton’s Lexci Nicholas. Photo by Megan Fisher

It was a similar story in the final term, as the Blasters kept their foot on the pedal to end up coming away with a 55-point victory.

Benalla Breakers were the only other local team to take the court in the CBL at the weekend, with its men’s side recording a pair of victories.

Facing back-to-back road games, the Breakers overcame a plucky Myrtleford Saints 87-71 on Saturday night, before making the trip to Mansfield on Sunday and beating the Eagles 87-63.