Miners women roster strengthened

WITH about half of the NBL1 South season to go, the Ballarat Miners women squad has been bolstered following the addition of Steph Gorman to the roster.

Gorman joins Ballarat following four years in the US collage system where she evenly split her time between the NCAA listed University of San Diego Toreros and the Utah State University Aggies.

A 183-centimetre-tall guard, Gorman had an average 10.5 points, 3.1 assists and shot 35.5 per cent in her senior year with the Toreros.

“It’s surreal how much [playing college basketball] has helped develop my game,” she said. “The college experience as a whole has allowed me to grow on and off the court.

“I’ve been able to add a lot of skill sets and become a more confident player.”

Gorman also said she was looking forward to working with Miners women coach David Herbert.

“Ballarat is an awesome club and Herbie is such a great coach and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to learn from him,” she said.

“I am also excited by the team culture and getting to play with the girls on the team.”

The new signing was quickly pressed into action last Saturday, as the Miners headed down the Midland Highway for games against the Geelong Supercats.

Gorman ended up logging just under 28 minutes of game time where she netted 14 points and six rebounds in the Miners’ close loss to Geelong, 77-72.

Fresh of international duty, Jade Melbourne was Ballarat’s highest points getter with 16, closely followed by Zitina Aokuso on 15.

The women Miners now sit 10th on the table with a five and five record.

Meanwhile the men’s team continued its winning ways, downing the Supercats 63-78.

Recent import JD Miller is starting to find his form, with a 23-point and six-rebound effort in just over 33 minutes of game time.

Ballarat’s mens side is now second in the league with a seven and three record, and a strong run down the stretch would lock in post-season action.