PRESEASON clashes are often chances for emerging talents to showcase their improvement heading into the upcoming fixture, and 19-year-old Perth Lynx gun Kiara Waite did exactly that during her side’s four-point loss to the UC Capitals.

A collection of preseason matches were held in Townsville over the weekend as the season prepares to get underway midway through October, as sides finalise their preparations ahead of what promises to be an exciting season.

The Lynx and the Capitals locked horns at Townsville Stadium on Sunday morning in an entertaining clash that went right down to the wire. After Canberra built a strong lead throughout the first three quarters, Perth stormed home with a 26-14 final frame to almost pull off the comeback, but the Lynx fell four points short.

Despite the result, Waite’s performance was still an encouraging sign for the Lynx moving into the upcoming season, suggesting she could play a key role for the WNBL’s westernmost team in the coming months.

Perth Lynx (80) def. by UC Capitals (84)

Kiara Waite – 11 points, four rebounds, two assists

Making the most of her minutes off the bench, Waite was able to make an impact for the Lynx in their final preseason before the season begins on October 18, and may have done enough to earn an increase in minutes in Round 1.

The youngster was injected into the game early in the piece, coming onto the court just two and a half minutes into the opening frame. However, Waite committed a quick foul and was brought back to the bench shortly after, before returning to the fold later in the period.

She wasted no time in making an impression, driving inside and drawing contact in a play that demonstrated excellent smarts for her age, converting the two free throws accordingly. Waite then rounded out the quarter with a nice turnaround jumpshot, showcasing excellent bodywork and touch despite the defensive attention.

She maintained her aggressive mindset heading into the second quarter, but unfortunately the shots were not falling in the opening minutes of the term. She was subbed into the game later in the term, but played a more passive role, looking to create space for her teammates and play a more off-ball role heading into half time.

Waite played a chunk of the third quarter, and was able to hit the scoreboard with a nice driving layup to bring the margin back down to single digits, although it was her only make in what was a tough period for the team as a whole.

The youngster was brought into the game to start the fourth quarter, and immediately showed what she can do with a nice dish out to Amy Atwell, who nailed the three-pointer. Deja vu occurred a couple of minutes later as Waite again found Atwell from behind the arc, and her experienced teammate cashed in from long range for the second time in the term.

Waite had a crucial play later in the quarter, pulling down an offensive rebound before nailing the midrange jumper to bring the margin back down to just seven points after the Lynx looked dead and buried. She then took that to the next level with a three-point bomb to help Perth draw within one point with over a minute to play, although they never got closer than that.

She finished with 11 points on 4/8 shooting from the field and a perfect 2/2 shooting from behind the arc to go with her four rebounds and two assists, showing that she is worth considerable minutes off the bench and could be a key piece for the Lynx.