Basketball
Round 5 – Pymble 1 Match Report
The Pymble Ladies’ College Senior Firsts took to the court this weekend for the First Nations Round, facing tough opposition under the watchful eye of basketball legend Lauren Jackson. Despite the absence of several key players due to injuries, the team displayed exceptional resilience and spirit, embodying the never-give-up attitude our programme cherishes.
From the outset, Pymble put in an impressive performance. For the first 30 minutes, the game remained fiercely competitive, with the margin held to within ten points for most of the contest. Our athletes showed grit in defence and commitment on offence, making crucial stops and hustling for every loose ball. The energy was palpable, spurred on not just by the occasion, but also by the biggest crowd attendance of the season and support from the sidelines.
Millie Sutcliffe (Year 11) led the way for Pymble, finishing as our top scorer and fiercest rebounder, battling under the basket at both ends of the floor. Ariana Ziolkowski (Year 11) anchored the defence, playing tough, physical basketball, and making life difficult for the opposition. Elizabeth Yates (Year 11) gave the team a vital boost off the bench, using her endless endurance and work rate to keep the team in the contest. Claire Murphy (Year 11) came onto the court and knocked down a key shot just when it was needed, helping to keep the game within reach.
In the end, however, Loreto Normanhurst proved too strong, using accurate outside shooting and converting too many free throws for Pymble to overcome. As fatigue set in during the final stages, Loreto were able to stretch their lead, and Pymble went down by 16 points.
Results
| Team | Opponent | Result |
| Pymble 1 | Loreto Normanhurst Senior 1 | 26 to 39 |
| Pymble 2 | MLC 1 | 16 to 35 |
| Pymble 3 | Ascham 2 | 22 to 22 |
| Pymble 4 | SCEGGS 3 | 16 to 19 |
| Pymble 5 | Loreto Normanhurst 8 | 58 to 10 |
| Pymble 6 | Ravenswood 6 | 24 to 17 |
| Pymble 7 | Queenwood 4 | 43 to 4 |
| Pymble 8 | Abbotsleigh 15 | 7 to 34 |
| Pymble 9 | Abbotsleigh 17 | 45 to 29 |
| Pymble 10 | Brigidine 5 | 18 to 16 |
| Pymble 11 | Abbotsleigh 19 | 12 to 11 |
| Pymble 12 | Queenwood 9 | 33 to 3 |
| Pymble 13 | Tara 8 | 28 to 24 |
| Pymble 14 | Abbotsleigh 25 | 12 to 48 |
| Pymble 15 | Abbotsleigh 26 | 7 to 16 |
| Pymble 16 | Wenona 12 | 14 to 49 |
| Pymble 17 | PLC Sydney 14 | 16 to 10 |
| Pymble 18 | Monte 8 | 6 to 18 |
| Pymble 19 | Mount St Benedict 5 | 6 to 18 |
| Pymble 20 | Wenona 14 | 4 to 26 |
Lauren Jackson Academy Clinic
We had the excitement of hosting our second Lauren Jackson clinic on Saturday, with the basketball legend herself in attendance. Lauren Jackson is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, not just in Australia, but internationally. From New South Wales, Lauren quickly rose to fame through her remarkable skill, versatility, and dominance on the court.
During our Q&A, Claire Murphy (Year 11) asked Lauren what she was doing at 17, to which Lauren replied that she had just won a WNBL championship and MVP award, and was preparing for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Her outstanding achievements include being the first pick in the WNBA draft at age 19, winning multiple WNBA MVP awards, WNBA championships, and earning numerous All-Star selections. She also played a pivotal role in leading the Australian Opals to Olympic and World Championship medals, including three Olympic silvers, two bronzes, and a World Championship gold.
Beyond her unparalleled on-court success, Lauren is admired for her leadership, dedication, and resilience. She inspires young athletes, championing values of persistence, teamwork, and maintaining a growth mindset—values she continues to share through coaching and clinics like ours. Her commitment to nurturing the next generation of basketball talent is particularly evident in her efforts to support Pymble Ladies’ College’s basketball program, helping it to reach new heights.
At Saturday’s clinic, Lauren provided our students with an outstanding opportunity to elevate their skill development through hands-on coaching. She focused on fundamental and advanced basketball techniques such as precise footwork, effective court movement, making tough, contact lay-ups, and defensive positioning. Lauren tailored each session to challenge the players at their current level, providing expert, individual feedback and encouraging students to persist outside their comfort zones.
Throughout the clinic, Lauren placed a strong emphasis not only on technical skills but on the mental side of the game—instilling a winning attitude and a growth mindset in each participant. Students left the session more confident in their abilities, equipped with actionable techniques and a new understanding of the importance of resilience and teamwork on and off the court. The clinic was a true inspiration for all involved and has undoubtedly set our athletes on an exciting path to further improvement and basketball excellence.
Maddison Scott
Co-ordinator of Basketball
