Sister act set for Miners

ALREADY a family club, the Ballarat Miners women’s squad have further embraced that ideal with the announcement Charlotte Brancatisano has joined the team.

A 168-centimetre guard, Charlotte is the ‘little’ sister of existing Miners’ workhorse and fellow guard, Isabella Brancatisano.

Charlotte joins the Miners after playing for the Melbourne Tigers during the 2021 NBL1 south season and has also done time with the Geelong Supercats.

The new signing was pressed into action immediately, playing 40 minutes of the Miners 10-point road loss to Keilor last Saturday night, where she registered seven points and two assist.

Zitina Aokuso once again carried a heavy load, also playing a full game and sinking 26 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.

The Miners women were without up-and-coming superstar Jade Melbourne who was on national duty with the Opals who playing a friendly series against Japan.

Ballarat now sits eighth on the ladder with a five and four record.

Meanwhile the Miners men continued their mini winning streak, edging out Keilor in the late game by three points.

Journeyman forward Preston Bungei led the scoring with 21 points and six rebounds while recent import JD Miller had 17 points and pulled down 10 in the paint.

The win bumped the Miners men up to fifth in the standings with a six and three winning record.

Both the men’s and women’s sides continue their road tripping in round seven, away to the Geelong Supercats this Saturday.