PREVIEW: Joondalup City at Cockburn

HAMILTON HILL, Australia (Interstat) — Two teams heading in opposite directions will meet Friday night when the league-leading Cockburn Cougars host the struggling Joondalup City at Hamilton Hill.

Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. local time.

Cockburn (11-2) sits atop the NBL1 women’s standings, boasting one of the most potent offenses in the league. Joondalup City (3-8) has lost five of its last six games and is fighting to climb out of the bottom of the table.

The two sides met just seven weeks ago, with Cockburn cruising to a 92-73 victory at Joondalup City on April 11. The Cougars controlled that game from the opening quarter and never trailed.

Cockburn is coming off a 97-85 win over Perry Lakes on May 23. Forward Cierra Walker led the way with 28 points on 10-of-18 shooting in 38 minutes. Walker has been the Cougars’ most consistent scorer, averaging 16.8 points over her last four games. She also posted 15 points, six rebounds and two assists in a 91-67 win at Mandurah on May 8. Cockburn’s only recent stumble came May 16 at Warwick, a 97-76 loss where Walker was held to five points.

Joondalup City is looking to rebound from a 93-78 loss at East Perth on May 23. Center Yemiyah Morris recorded a double-double with 15 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks in that game, playing 30 minutes. The 6-foot-4 Morris has been a force inside when given minutes. In a 65-87 loss to Goldfields on May 16, she logged 25 minutes and produced 16 points and 13 rebounds. She also had 13 points and 10 rebounds in a narrow 91-85 loss at Southwest on May 2. Joondalup City’s lone bright spot in recent weeks came May 22, when it routed Willetton 104-62, though Morris played only nine minutes in that blowout.

For Joondalup City to have a chance Friday, it will need a strong performance from its supporting cast. Forward Kim Pierre Louis scored 22 points against East Perth, and guard Asianae Johnson added 15 points and four assists.

Cockburn’s frontcourt depth, led by center Jessie Edwards (19 points, 10 rebounds vs. Perry Lakes) and forward Danielle Raber (18 points, eight rebounds), presents a significant challenge for Joondalup City’s defense.

Friday’s game is the second of three scheduled meetings between the teams this season.