Tesch plays in wheelchair finals

Australian women's wheelchair basketball player Liesl Tesch of Woy Woy has played with the Wenty Leagues Wheelkings in the finals series of the National Wheelchair Basketball League competition.

Their team came fourth in the playoff series.

"The competition is a mixed-gender competition, understandably dominated by the stronger and faster male players," said Parramatta Basketball Association media officer Mr Noel Rowsell.

"The women players are generally forced to play minor roles, taking the opportunity to play valuable court time when their male counterparts either need a rest or run into foul trouble.

"Those circumstances however would be thrown on their head in this year's playoffs, at least for the Wheelkings, with three of their key male players missing the trip to Perth due to personal commitments."

Mr Rowsell said that, in their absence, Tesch responded in "the best possible fashion with a scintillating performance" in both the minor semi final and the Bronze Medal playoff.

"Tesch grabbed a vital seven points, nine boards and two assists in the 84-74 loss to the West Sydney Razorbacks in the minor semi final," Mr Rowsell said.

He said Leisl Tesch was equally impressive against an all-male Wollongong Roller Hawks in the Bronze Medal playoff, grabbing nine points, nine boards and two assists in the 93-82 loss.

Mr Rowsell said Wheelkings head coach Mr Gerry Hewson, who is also the head coach of the Gliders, was "understandably ecstatic" over his under-strength team's performance in the playoff series.

Press release, 3 Oct 2007 Noel Rowsell, Parramatta Basketball Association