THE Bathurst Goldminers received welcome news in the lead-up to tomorrow’s State League semi-final as Emily Matthews was named the competition’s rookie of the year.
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Matthews claimed a total of 77 points during the regular season at an average of 11 points per game to stand out from the crowd.
After her under 18s state duties were done and dusted, she was able to become a regular part of the Goldminers team.
Her first match for the Goldminers came in May’s 81-53 win over the Goulburn Bears.
Matthews’ State League performances got stronger and stronger as the season went on, with her best match coming in the penultimate round against the Newcastle Hunters in which she shot 18 points.
Picking up the rookie award is a bonus for Matthews, who said State League has helped take her game to new heights.
“I wasn’t expecting that. I saw the list of people that were nominated and I didn’t think I was going to get it, so it was a nice surprise,” she said.
“The competition’s been really good. I enjoy playing with the older girls. I feel like I’m playing better and learning more from them. I’ve been scoring a lot and my rebounding has also been getting better.”
Matthews couldn’t ask for better form coming into tomorrow’s game.
Her remarkable tally of 40 points for Bathurst in their Country Premier League 85-53 grand final win over the Dubbo Rams has sent out the warning signals.
That, coupled with more players on deck for tomorrow, has Matthews feeling confident.
“I think that because we have most of our team this time that everyone will come together. We’ll be back a lot stronger than what we were the past few games,” she said.
Goldminers coach Jo Cafe said Matthews was a worthy recipient of the award.
“It was very exciting to see. She’s only 16 so she’s only at the bottom age for under 18s. She really deserves this,” she said.
“She works really hard and goes above and beyond what’s needed. She does a lot of individual training and if anything is on, she will be there.
“She’s got a lot of potential to go a long way. She’s already tall and still growing. She’s fast and shoots from outside well.”
Matthews beat team-mate Laycee Covington to the award in a season where both have looked impressive surrounded by older heads.
“Laycee was nominated as well and she would also have been a worthy winner,” she said.
“The two of them missed the last games for CPL but have been two of our main players this year.”
Covington shot 7.4 points per game from her eight matches, though her contributions in defence have been her strong suit.
It continues a strong run for the Goldminers in the category with Katelyn Bower picking up the prize in 2013.
