NBL1 East: Spanish guard Ana Fernandez on point for Newcastle Falcons

The 28-year-old will suit up for her second NBL1 East game when the Falcons host long-term rivals Illawarra at the Broadmeadow Basketball Stadium on Saturday.

"Ana is the point guard we need to get everyone organised," Falcons coach Chloe Mullaney said. "She is a genuine playmaker. She runs the offence, defends hard and makes great passes.

"Kate Kingham and Jess Relf have been doing a job for us but we haven't really had a designated point guard."

Fernandez had legs of rubber after virtually hopping off a plane and onto the court in a 75-73 win over Manly at home last Saturday.

"There was no pressure on her to play," Mullaney said. "I told her to see how she felt in the warm-up."

Fernandez pulled in a rebound and provided an assist in six minutes on court.

"I thought I was OK, but I started running and my legs weren't going anywhere," Fernandez said.

Fernandez played alongside Falcons' US import Nicole Munger at CB Aridane in the Canary Islands last season, winning a title.

The guard had intended to return home to northern Spain and play some three-on-three basketball.

However, when a contract with another American who the Falcons had lined up fell through, Munger suggested Fernandez.

"It all happened pretty quickly," Mullaney said. "Ana is grateful to be here and we are grateful to have her."

Fernandez had one season playing college basketball in Buffalo, New York, but otherwise has been based in Spain.

"It was never in my mind," she said. "Having Nicole Munger here, the opportunity came and I said why not - new country, new experience, different basketball.

"I am sure I will leave here a better player. The game is more physical here, more one-on-one. In Spain it is more structured. That is good for me. I want to get good shots for my teammates and help lead the team with my experience. The young girls are so eager to learn and get better, and they bring a lot of intensity to the game. I am very much looking forward to this weekend."

Munger, who went to college at Michigan University, has scored more than 20 points and hauled in seven rebounds in her two games.

"I am definitely finding my feet," Munger said. "The first week was such a whirlwind. Now we have had some practices, I am learning the systems, learning the plays and learning where the girls are going to be. It has been fun."

Munger will square up against a former college rival in Kittyhawks import Tyler Scaife.

Scaife played at Rutgers University and has been leading the way for Illawarra, averaging 19 points, two assists and four rebounds.

"They are sitting a couple of places above us in third spot," Mullaney said. "Their American is a strong player and they have a lot of local juniors."

The clash looms as one of the final few for Mullaney's daughter and Falcons gun, Chyra.

The 19-year-old, who has averaged 19 points and 12 rebounds per game, is heading to the Michigan University and is awaiting a visa.

"They want her there next week," Chloe said. "The athletics department at Michigan have written a letter to the US consulate in Australia to try and hasten the process. She could be here for one week, it could be four weeks."

BRETT KEEBLE reports: BE wary of the wounded.

That is the message Falcons coach Peter Astley will drum into his players when they host Illawarra Hawks in the NBL1 East Conference men's game at Newcastle Basketball Stadium on Saturday night.

Matur Maluach blocked Lucas Walker's shot at the buzzer to seal an 86-85 victory for Newcastle when the teams fought out a thriller at the Snakepit in Wollongong on May 21.

But Walker, whose journeyman career included 10 seasons in the National Basketball League, and NBL1 East Conference leading scorer Kiwi Gardner are among a host of Illawarra players expected to miss the rematch in Newcastle.

Walker has commitments in a three-on-three tournament and Gardner, who had 38 points, six assists, five rebounds and four steals against the Falcons on May 21, is nursing a quadriceps injury.

Gardner was hurt early in the second quarter of Illawarra's 97-77 loss to Inner West Bulls on June 18 and did not play in their 75-62 victory over Hills Hornets last Saturday.

"We've heard they'll be missing a few players but we can't be distracted by that," Astley said.

"We have to worry about ourselves and play our game and continue building and improving."

Newcastle have won nine of their past 10 to lead the conference with a 9-3 win-loss record and Illawarra (8-5) are third, having won three of their past four since losing to the Falcons at home.

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