ALTHOUGH her team fell four points short of the Diamond Valley Eagles in the National Basketball League (NBL)1 South Women’s, Frankston Blues star Steph Reid was tremendous when the two sides clashed at Dreamstreet Lending Arena on Thursday night.

It was shaping as an even clash, given both sides had secured one win and one loss to start the season. The NBL1 South has been delivering nightly action throughout the week, and Thursday’s matchup shaped as one of the games of the round.

It delivered to those expectations, with a high-scoring affair giving fans plenty to enjoy on their Thursday. Following a spirited final quarter comeback from the Eagles – where they outscored the opposition 22-13 – the game headed to overtime. It was in extra time where Diamond Valley got the ascendancy in the clash, sneaking home to a 99-95 victory.

It may not have been the result she wanted, but Reid was just about unstoppable for Frankston in the tough loss.

Frankston Blues (95) def. by Diamond Valley Eagles (99)

Steph Reid – 46 points, five rebounds, seven assists, six steals

Reid showed exactly why she is one of the stars of the game on Thursday night, putting Frankston on her back and nearly steering the team to victory single-handedly.

Her 46 points accounted for nearly half of the Blues’ score, proving a reliable source of scoring. Reid did not miss a single minute of court time across regulation and OT, and the ball found its way into her hands on nearly every Frankston possession.

From the field, she made 15 baskets on 33 attempts from the field in an impressive display, stepping up for a good shot when her team needed one. Although she had her woes from behind the arc (3/11), Reid was damaging from two-point territory, going 12/22.

She also generated a multitude of points from the charity stripe, drawing contact on her drives into the lane and converting at the free throw line, where she shot 13/15 in an efficient display.

Defensively, Reid is well known for having active hands, and that was certainly the case against the Eagles, recording six steals in a disruptive performance in the best way possible.

It would have been deserved for Reid to walk away with a win on Thursday night, but it was not meant to be. Regardless, she showed exactly what she is capable of during the 2024 season.