By Jamie Thomas
In an intensely competitive WBBL season, the Leicester Riders have set themselves apart as one of the top teams in the Championship since the early stages of the season, securing their Play-off place with plenty of time to spare, and now they look ahead to the challenge of the post-season.
With a roster that has undergone significant change since last season’s WBBL-Cup-winning group, it should not be underestimated just how well the Riders have done to maintain their status as one of the Championship’s best sides.
We caught up with Oceana Hamilton, a dominant cornerstone of the Riders’ success in her debut WBBL season, to get her perspective on the team’s fortunes so far this year.
“Our team is really versatile and can score in a lot of different ways, which is great for us, but my favourite quality about our group is the character we have and the fact that we never let our heads drop – we always keep pushing and keep trying to play at our best level.
“That is only going to help us in the playoffs, I think, because the pressure is going to be higher and to be successful we have to stick together and keep pushing each other to be the best we can be.
“We’re going to be a tough team to play against in the playoffs because we have so many different options, but we’re very excited to get going.”
“I came into the season just wanting to make an impact.”
One of the most dominant stars in the WBBL this season, the 26-year-old Hamilton has featured in the All-Star Five on numerous occasions this year, signifying her status as one of the top performers in the country this year.
An ever-present in a Leicester side that has secured home court advantage for the first round of the post-season, Hamilton has averaged a double-double of over 13 points and 12 rebounds this season and admits she is pleased with how quickly she’s found her feet in the WBBL.
“I’m happy with how I’ve adapted to this league, for sure, but I owe a lot of my success to my teammates and my coaches for putting me in a position to do what I’m good at and to help the team as best I can.
“I came into the season just wanting to make an impact and prove to myself that I can be an all-round player, able to score, rebound and defend well, and I feel like I’ve accomplished that goal but I want to be even better for the team in the playoffs.
“I have been surprised at how competitive the league has been, everybody has given us really tough games and we’ve been successful in some games but not in others, and I hope our best is still to come in the playoffs.”
“I love a challenge and our team does too.”
A battle with their close rivals the Nottingham Wildcats awaits at the Morningside Arena on Sunday as both sides do battle for a place in the semi-finals, and Hamilton detailed what she feels will stand her team in good stead in the hopes of finding post-season success.
“Our team is so diverse whether it be the age range or the experience we’ve had that it has been really fun to experience. We’ve got great leaders like Hannah (Robb) and Anna (Lappenküper), who are both so young, and there is a really nice blend of youth and experience in the group, so it is really fun to be a part of.
“There have been a lot of great moments this year, but that first game against Essex probably stands out as it was a real moment for us to reflect after the game and realise that we can do something special if we show that spirit and togetherness.
“We’ve shown more than once that we can step up to the big occasions and I’m excited to see how we do in the playoffs. I love a challenge and our team does too – we’re ready to take it on and hopefully be successful.”
Get your tickets for the WBBL Playoff Finals and join us for the showpiece finale to an epic season at London’s 02 Arena on May 15th here!