Sport
28 October, 2025
Maryborough Lady Blazers remain perfect in 2025 with Castlemaine thrashing
The Maryborough Lady Blazers’ impeccable start to their 2025 season remains intact after a dominating 78-point win against the Castlemaine Cannons.
Despite their scheduled home encounter with the Bendigo Braves being abandoned due to Sunday’s heavy rain leaking onto the courts at the Maryborough Sports and Leisure Centre, the Lady Blazers are still first in the CBL North West Women’s standings with a 5-0 record.
Entering Saturday’s clash with Castlemaine full of confidence, Maryborough was given an extra boost with the season debut of former league All-Star Maddy Egan.
After an impressive outing in the Blazers’ last fixture versus Swan Hill, Heidi Plim got her team’s offence in a groove quickly, scoring seven of Maryborough’s first nine points.
While Plim was leading a well-balanced attack with 12 first-quarter points, the Blazers’ defence was disabling the Castlemaine Cannons before they could fire, finishing an impressive first quarter up 33-5.
Not content with their 28-point advantage, Maryborough started the second quarter with a 12-0 run, not allowing a field goal in the first six minutes of the term.
When the Cannons did score through an Elise Hogan two-pointer, the Blazers shut out their opponents for the rest of the period, with a late bucket from Azalea Wighton putting Maryborough 48 points in front at half time.
A total of seven Blazers put points up on the scoreboard in the third quarter, with the returning Egan leading the way with eight points.
After an outstanding defensive performance in the first half, the Blazers maintained their pressure on the ball in the third period, allowing just five points for the term as they entered the fourth quarter up by 72 points.
Despite the game being out of reach, the Cannons continued to fight to the very end, starting to generate some strong passages on offence.
However, the Blazers were just too good, ending the game as 111-33 winners.
Their 111 points is Maryborough’s highest score in the last five seasons, with Plim the Blazers’ top scorer with 23 points, including two three-pointers.
McCarthy and Millie Cracknell were as dangerous as ever on both sides of the floor, combining to add 35 points while Wighton (15 points), Egan (14) and Brandy Santon (10) also provided notable contributions.
The Blazers were looking to continue their sparkling form against the Bendigo Braves on Sunday, but the game was abandoned due to the courts being deemed unsafe with heavy rain dripping onto parts of the courts from the roof.
The game is currently looking to be rescheduled, with the Lady Blazers having the bye in back-to-back rounds shortly.