Dandenong Rangers co-captain Steph Cumming had the best season of her WNBL career in 2015/16, setting career highs for points and assists per game whilst also applying magnificent defensive pressure and providing tremendous leadership for a young Dandenong Jayco Rangers line-up. Last month Cumming was recognised for her brilliant 2015/16 WNBL season, winning the Rangers Most Valuable Player Award and was also named the WNBL Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year.
During 2015/16 Cumming played all 25 games for Dandenong, averaging 15.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 35.9 minutes per game. Stephanie ranked eighth in the league for points per game, fifth in free throw percentage with 85.1% and 15th for assists per game.
At 25 years of age Cumming is already a young veteran of the WNBL, having played a total of 228 games over 10 seasons at three clubs comprised of 133 games for Dandenong, 51 games for Townsville and 44 games for the AIS. Cumming made her WNBL debut for Dandenong at 16 years of age in 2006/07 and played two seasons for the AIS in 2007/08 and 2008/09. Cumming returned to the Dandenong Jayco Rangers for four seasons from 2009/10 to 2012/13, winning the club’s MVP award in her first season back at Dandenong and was a starter in a Rangers line-up that made the finals in the following three seasons, including winning the 2011/12 WNBL Championship. Cumming was a key player at Townsville for two seasons in 2013/14 and 2014/15, with the club losing the grand final in 2013/14 and winning the WNBL championship in 2014/15.
Only one of Dandenong’s starters from 2014/15 returned for the 2015/16 season, American import Annalise Pickrel who averaged 11.1 points per game in 2014/15, ranked fifth at Dandenong. The four starters that didn’t return for the 2015/16 season were all ranked in the top 15 of the WNBL for points per game in 2014/15, being Penny Taylor (19.3 points per game), Cappie Pondexter (17.0), Alice Kunek (12.9) and Kathleen McLeod (12.9). Core players that returned from 2014/15 in addition to Pickrel were 2014/15 WNBL Rookie of the Year Lauren Scherf, Aimie Clydesdale and Tegan Cunningham, resulting in four of the eight players that formed Dandenong’s core rotation in 2014/15 returning in 2015/16. In March 2015 Larissa Anderson was named as the Dandenong Rangers WNBL head coach for the 2015/16 season, replacing Mark Wright who had the role for five years. Larissa is the first woman to coach the Dandenong Rangers in the WNBL, and shortly after her appointment she stated an intention to recruit players that had represented the Dandenong Rangers in the WNBL previously, which she followed through on, recruiting five former Rangers players in Cumming, Jacinta Kennedy, Amelia Todhunter, Sara Blicavs and Alison Downie. Excluding development players the only player Dandenong recruited for the 2015/16 season that hadn’t played WNBL basketball for the club previously was centre, Alex Bunton.
Cumming was named Jayco Dandenong Rangers co-captain along with another player whose junior association was Dandenong – point guard Aimie Clydesdale. The duo who both grew up in Endeavour Hills were voted into the role of co-captain by their team-mates, Dandenong head-coach Larissa Anderson commented “That was unanimous and for me I looked at it and thought it was really special – the fact that both of them have grown up at the stadium pretty much, literally grown up at the stadium before domestic and under-12s. Whenever they started – at the age of seven or eight – they’ve grown up in this stadium and never played for anyone else in their junior careers and I think that’s wonderful and they’ll do a fantastic job.”1
Anderson had coached six members of Dandenong’s 2015/16 WNBL roster in the SEABL during 2015 and had also coached Cumming and Scherf in the SEABL during previous seasons, with Cumming being a key player in the Rangers three consecutive SEABL titles from 2010 to 2012. Although Dandenong had made the WNBL finals in all five seasons from 2010/11 to 2014/15 the external expectations on the eve of the season were considerably lower with very few experts tipping the Dandenong Rangers to make the finals in 2015/16.
Cumming started the 2015/16 season in tremendous fashion, scoring 17 points or more four times in her first five games including 22 points in a game twice. In Round 3 Cumming shot the ball superbly against Bendigo, making seven of her 10 field goal attempts and was three from six for three-pointers to score 18 points in 29 minutes game-time during Dandenong’s 32 point win at home.
Cumming was named in the WNBL’s team of the week three times in 2015/16, Rounds 8, 12 and 15. In Round 8 Cumming played a brilliant game in Dandenong’s 20 point victory against Sydney at home, scoring 23 points, making eight of 14 field goals, including two of five three pointers and made all five free-throws.
In December 2015 Steph got engaged to Kris Blicavs, the brother of Steph’s Dandenong teammate Sara.In 2016 all three Blicavs’ siblings are playing for a club in Geelong, with Kris and Sara both playing basketball for the Geelong Supercats in the SEABL whilst Mark is playing his fourth season for Geelong in the AFL, having been a revelation in 2015, winning the club’s best and fairest.
In Dandenong’s first game of 2016 they had a critical six point win on the road against the SEQ Stars in Round 12 with Cumming playing a magnificent all-round game with a game-high 21 points, five rebounds and an equal game-high four assists. Cumming had a superb shooting night, making seven of her 13 field goal attempts, all four free throws and three of her four three-pointers including one in the final two minutes of the game to extend the Rangers lead to seven points.
Dandenong started slowly in their Round 13 game on the road against Adelaide but were able to reduce the margin to four points at half-time. Led by a captain’s game from Cumming with 20 points and six assists – both team-highs, the Rangers overpowered Adelaide in the second half to win by 16 points, 79 to 63.
Against Bendigo in Round 15 at Dandenong Stadium Cumming shot the ball proficiently, making seven of her 11 field goal attempts, one of her two three-pointers and all eight free throws to score a game-high 23 points. During the eight point victory Cumming also took a season-high eight rebounds ranked second in the game behind Jacinta Kennedy with 10.
The Dandenong Rangers finished third on the WNBL ladder with a record of 15 wins and nine losses, two wins behind minor premiers, Townsville Fire and one win behind the second placed Perth Lynx. The fourth placed SEQ Stars also finished with 15 wins and nine losses but lost the tie-breaker due to Dandenong having the better head to head record, winning two of the three games between the clubs during the regular season. A key reason in Dandenong making the WNBL finals was their remarkable record in close games, of their 14 games decided by eight points or less during the 2015/16 regular season they won 12 and lost only two. Dandenong’s depth was extremely important throughout the 2015/16 season given that due to injury they frequently had one or more of their core players missing. The Dandenong Rangers had the equal-best home record in the WNBL during the regular season with the Perth Lynx, having a record of nine wins and three losses. With their entertaining brand of basketball and their superb record of winning close games at home the Rangers provided tremendous value for money for their members in 2015/16. Dandenong had six wins and six losses on the road, the equal fourth best record in the WNBL, three games behind the best road team, the eventual 2015/16 WNBL Champions the Townsville Fire.
Cumming polled 73 votes in the 2015/16 WNBL MVP award to finish sixth, and lead the Rangers ahead of forward Sara Blicavs who finished 10th with 56 votes. Cumming also received six votes for the WNBL All-Star five team, to be ranked equal seventh in the WNBL, Suzy Batkovic and Sami Whitcomb received 15 votes each, whilst Kelsey Griffen, Katie-Rae Ebzery and Leilani Mitchell all received nine votes each. These five players were selected in the 2015/16 WNBL All-Star five with SEQ point guard Lauren Mansfield polling the next most votes with seven ahead of Cumming, Cayla George and Betnijah Laney all on six votes.
Dandenong hosted SEQ in the minor semi final and held the ascendancy for most of the game, leading by 15 points late in the second quarter, however SEQ overran Dandenong to win by four points. The Jayco Dandenong Rangers broke a club record in making the WNBL finals for a sixth consecutive season in 2015/16, however in the past four seasons they have been unable to win a final.
In 2015/16 Cumming led Dandenong for points, assists and minutes played, ranked third for steals and fourth for rebounds and blocked shots. Cumming scored more than 19 points eight times in 2015/16 including a season best of 23 points twice. As well as ranking in the top 15 of the WNBL for points and assists per game during 2015/16 Cumming also ranked equal 21st for total steals and 23rd for total blocks. Cumming’s average of 15.8 points per game was an increase of 16% on her previous best of 13.6 points per game in 2011/12. Apart from these two seasons Cumming’s scoring had been very consistent since beginning her second stint with the Dandenong Rangers in 2009/10, in five seasons she has averaged between 10.2 and 11.7 points per game in a season. For several seasons Cumming has been one of the best jump-shooters in the WNBL and this continued to be a strength this season. Cumming was restricted to under 12 points only four times in 2015/16, although one of these games was the semi final loss to the SEQ Stars. Cumming was very durable during 2015/16, playing all 25 games for Dandenong, she played over 29 minutes in every game and played over 35 minutes 17 times.
Dandenong were ranked number 1 in the league for defending three point shots, with their opponents making 31% of their three-pointers in 2015/16. The Defensive Player of the year award was voted on by the coaches and captains from the nine WNBL clubs. Cumming polled 25 votes to win the award ahead of Perth Lynx centre Louella Tomlinson and Bendigo Spirit forward Kelsey Griffen. Cumming was the second Dandenong Ranger to win the Defensive Player of the Year award, joining Emily McInerney who holds the all-time record, having won the award a phenomenal nine times.
On winning the Wattle Valley WNBL Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year award Cumming commented “It was very unexpected, I was quite surprised. I try to take pride in every aspect of my game but as part of [coach] Larissa Anderson’s game-plan she was really focused on defence and I guess that came through. Larissa would go through match-ups with us and most weeks we would have a chat about it and who I would prefer to play on and then she would chip in with who she thought would be best. I never really thought of myself as a defensive player but I always take pride in it and not wanting to be beaten.”2
Stephanie Cumming was born on 26 July 1990 and has an older brother, Jamie. Stephanie played juniors for the Dandenong Rangers and represented Victoria at the National Junior Championships in five consecutive years, under 14’s in 2002 and 2003, under 16’s in 2004 and 2005 and under 18’s in 2006. In her debut WNBL season of 2006/07 Cumming played 12 games for the Dandenong Rangers, playing limited minutes Cumming averaged 1.0 points, 0.5 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game. Dandenong finished fourth at the end of the regular season with a record of 12 wins and nine losses, and lost to Adelaide by five points in the minor semi final.
Steph accepted a scholarship with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), playing all 24 games for the AIS in 2007/08 she averaged 5.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game. The AIS had eight wins and 16 losses and although they finished ninth in a 10 team league they were only four games behind the fourth placed Dandenong Rangers. Cumming’s AIS team-mates in 2007/08 included Mariana Tolo, Cayla George (nee Francis), Mia Murray (nee Newley), and Nicole Hunt.
The AIS finished last of 10 teams in the WNBL during 2008/09 with a record of two wins and 20 losses, two games behind ninth placed Perth, but with a slightly better percentage, 77.5 to Perth’s 75.7. In her final season at the AIS in 2008/09 Cumming played 20 games, averaging 8.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 25.9 minutes per game. Cumming led the AIS for assists, ranked third for scoring behind Liz Cambage and Rachel Jarry and fifth for rebounds.
Cumming represented Australia at the 2009 under 19 World Championships held in Bankgkok, Thailand in late July and early August. Australia won all three of their Group A games to finish on top of their group but due to losing to Canada 49-50 in a quarter final the Gems missed out on the medal games. Australia won their two classification games against Russia and France to finish fifth. Cumming played all nine games for Australia, averaging 5.9 points, 3.0 rebounds 1.4 assists and 23.6 minutes per game.
After two seasons with the AIS Cumming returned to the Dandenong Jayco Rangers for the 2009/10 season. Dandenong finished seventh on the ladder with seven wins, 15 losses and a percentage of 93.59%. Cumming played all 22 games, averaging 11.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 27.3 minutes per game. Cumming led Dandenong for points, ranked fourth for assists, steals and blocks and fifth for rebounds. Cumming was the only Ranger to average more than 10 points per game however three of her team-mates averaged above nine points per game, fellow guard Caitlin Ryan (9.8 points), Casey Nash (9.7), and Ashley Lindsay (9.1). Other members of the Rangers team included Alison Downie, Antonia Edmondson, Nicole Hunt, Megan Moody, Amelia Todhunter, Clare Papavs and Faith Probst. At just 19 years of age Cumming won the Dandenong Rangers Most Valuable Player Award. Cumming was required to spend time playing as a point guard early in the season due to injuries to the Rangers starting and back-up point guards. Later in the season Cumming returned to her more familiar role as shooting guard and scored a season-high 20 points in multiple games.
Dandenong had a vastly different roster in 2010/11, with only three players returning from 2009/10, Cumming, Downie and Hope Terdich. The Rangers recruited four players that had been named in the WNBL All-Star five one time each during the previous three seasons, Kathleen MacLeod, Abby Bishop, Jess Foley and Tracey Gahan. Dandenong finished fourth on the ladder with 12 wins and 10 losses, behind Bulleen (19 wins), Canberra (18 wins) and Bendigo 15 wins. Dandenong hosted Logan in an elimination final at Dandenong Basketball Stadium but were defeated 83-73. Cumming played all 23 games, averaging 10.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 24.0 minutes per game. Stephanie ranked third at Dandenong for points behind MacLeod (15.4 points) and Bishop (15.1), third for steals, seventh for rebounds and sixth for assists.
Cumming and MacLeod were the only two Dandenong Rangers starters that returned from 2010/11, the three starters that did not return for the 2011/12 season were Bishop, Foley and Gahan, this trio were replaced by recruits Krista Phillips and Jenna O’Hea and long-term Ranger Alison Downie who played a more prominent role for Dandenong in 2011/12 after averaging just 12.7 minutes per game in 2010/11. Dandenong were strongly placed to make the finals at the half-way point of the season with eight wins and four losses, however they lost four games in a row to Logan, Bulleen and Bendigo twice to be a middle of the road team personified with a record of eight wins and eight losses and looked very unlikely to make the WNBL finals. This prompted an honest discussion amongst the Dandenong players and coaching staff on what they needed to change. From that point on Dandenong looked revitalised and won their last six regular season games, having an average winning margin of 31 points during this time. The Dandenong Jayco Rangers finished third on the WNBL ladder with 14 wins and eight losses, four games behind minor premiers, Adelaide Lightning and one win behind the second placed Bulleen Boomers. Townsville and Sydney finished in fourth and fifth place respectively with records of 13 wins and nine losses to complete the final five with Bendigo and Logan both finishing one win behind on 12 wins. Cumming had easily the best regular season of her WNBL career to that stage, averaging career highs for points and rebounds and averaged 2.0 assists per game, just below her career-best of 2.1 in 2008/09 with the AIS. On 19 February 2011 Cumming scored a career-high 26 points against the reigning champions, the Bulleen Boomers.
Townsville defeated Sydney by seven points in a mid-week elimination final at home to progress to a semi final at Dandenong Basketball Stadium against the Rangers. Townsville were strongly placed to cause an upset in the semi final, leading Dandenong 65 to 58 with just over seven minutes remaining, however Dandenong dominated from that point on to go on a 19-1 run and won 77 points to 66. Bulleen won a thrilling major semi-final against Adelaide 73 to 70 which led to Dandenong travelling to Adelaide to play the Lightning in a Preliminary Final. Adelaide led Dandenong by 13 points a minute into the third quarter, however as they had done so frequently in the concluding stages of the season the Rangers got on a role and overpowered their opponent, sixth-man Tegan Cunningham was critical in the turn around with the Jayco Rangers winning 91 points to 78.
The 2011/12 WNBL Grand Final between the Bulleen Boomers and the Dandenong Rangers was the first all-Victorian Grand Final since 1987. The Rangers had a long losing streak against Bullen including losing all three games during 2011/12 by five points, six points in overtime and 10 points. The Bulleen Boomers had a great start to lead 11 points to four, three and a half minutes into the opening quarter, however the Dandenong Rangers scored the next 12 points including eight from Cumming to gain the ascendancy, going on a 30 points to six run to lead by 17 points, 34 to 17 with six and a half minutes remaining in the first half. Whilst Bulleen reduced the lead to a low single figure margin for several minutes early in the third quarter Dandenong were able to respond, retaining their composure to extend their lead and recorded a comfortable victory by 24 points, 94 points to 70. Despite fouling out early in the last quarter Cumming was one of the best players on court, scoring 19 points with an accuracy of 64% from the field comprised of making seven of her 11 field goals. It was the third WNBL Championship in Dandenong’s history, having previously gone back to back to win the 2003/04 and 2004/05 championships. Kathleen MacLeod scored 22 points and made nine assists to win the Grand Final MVP and Jenna O’Hea scored 20 points and took seven rebounds.
During 2011/12 Cumming played all 25 games for the Dandenong Rangers, averaging 13.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 29.5 minutes per game. Cumming ranked third at Dandenong for scoring behind MacLeod and O’Hea, fifth for rebounds and blocked shots, third for assists and minutes played and fourth for steals. Steph played a total of 737 minutes during 2011/12 to be one of six Dandenong Rangers to play over 500 minutes for the season, the five starters and sixth man Cunningham. Five of these six players averaged over 9.0 points per game, with Cumming being joined by MacLeod (16.7), O’Hea (16.2), Phillips (11.2) and Cunningham (9.2). Whilst Downie’s scoring output was lower at 6.0 points per game she was Dandenong’s best defensive player. Other members of the Rangers Championship winning team were Samantha Woosnam, Louella Tomlinson, Clare Papavs, Brittany Wilkins, Hope Terdich and current Rangers co-captain Aimie Clydesdale.
The Rangers retained just over half of their Championship winning roster for the 2012/13 WNBL season, with the starting five of along with sixth man Cunningham and young point guard Clydesdale all returning. Dandenong recruited two teenagers from the AIS, Sara Blicavs and Carly Mijovic who at that stage were already being touted as potential future Opals, the duo have lived up to these expectations and both attended the Australian Opals training camp 1 in Canberra along with Cumming from 29 March to 3 April 2016.
The Dandenong Rangers got off to a much better start in 2012/13 than 2011/12 and until late in the season they had the measure of every rival club in the WNBL other than the Bendigo Spirit, winning 16 of their first 19 games of the season, with all three losses being to Bendigo by in order 12, two and seven points. During the season the Rangers recruited American import Monica Wright which increased their depth even further. Dandenong lost two late season games to Adelaide to finish the regular season in second spot on the ladder with 19 wins and five losses, two games behind minor premiers Bendigo Spirit, one game ahead of third placed Adelaide and six games ahead of the Townsville Fire who completed the top four.
Dandenong lost the major semi final on the road to Bendigo 78 points to 71 and were upset by Townsville in the preliminary final at Dandenong Basketball Stadium, being defeated 78 points to 64.
In 2012/13 Cumming played all 26 games for the Dandenong Rangers, averaging 11.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 25.5 minutes per game. Cumming ranked fourth at Dandenong for points per game, fifth for assists and steals, and third for total minutes played behind O’Hea and MacLeod who were both named in the 2012/13 WNBL All-Star five. Cumming’s numbers were slightly down in 2012/13 compared to 2011/12, however this was largely due to the Rangers having increased depth with eight players averaging at least 6.0 points per game in 2012/13, up from six players in 2011/12, this resulted in Cumming’s game-time falling by 14%. From an accuracy point of view Cumming had the best shooting season of her WNBL career to that stage, setting new career highs for field goal and three point accuracy with 47.4% and 42.5% respectively, whilst also having her second most accurate season at the free throw line, making 41 of her 45 shots for an accuracy of 91.5%. Cumming ranked third in the WNBL for three-point accuracy.
After spending four consecutive seasons playing for the Dandenong Rangers Cumming decided it was time for a change and joined the Townsville Fire for the 2013/14 WNBL season. During 2013/14 Cumming played all 27 games for the Townsville Fire, averaging 11.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 29.3 minutes per game. Steph ranked second at Townsville for points per game behind Suzy Batkovic, sixth for rebounds, second for assists behind Fire captain Rachael McCully and equal fifth for steals. Cumming led the WNBL for free-throw accuracy in the regular season with 92.3% and also made a career-best 45.3% of her three-pointers. Townsville finished the regular season in third position and lost the 2013/14 Grand Final to the Bendigo Spirit.
In 2014/15 Townsville continued to improve and were the best team during the WNBL regular season, becoming minor premiers with a record of 17 wins and five losses, two games ahead of the Bendigo Spirit. Townsville comprehensively outplayed Bendigo 82 points to 63 in the major semi final to progress to the Grand Final. Bendigo defeated Sydney by eight points in the preliminary final to set-up their third consecutive Grand Final against Bendigo. Townsville trailed Bendigo 4-12 early in the game but were able to draw level later in the first quarter. After leading 47 to 39 at half-time Townsville went on to win the Grand Final 75 points to 65 to win their first WNBL Championship. In the Grand Final Cumming scored 12 points, Batkovic scored 22 points and Mia Newley won the Rachel Sporn medal as Grand Final MVP with 23 points.
During 2014/15 Cumming played all 24 games for the Townsville Fire, averaging 11.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 24.5 minutes per game. In 2014/15 Cumming ranked third at Townsville for scoring, seventh for rebounds and equal third for assists and steals.
Cumming has been a star in the SEABL for many seasons, winning three consecutive championships with the Dandenong Rangers from 2010 to 2012 and winning the SEABL MVP in 2015 whilst playing for the Kilsyth Cobras. Over three SEABL seasons from 2013 to 2015 Cumming played 61 games and averaged 21.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game and shot the ball at above 46% from the field, 34% for three-pointers and 85% from the free-throw line in all 3 seasons. In 2016 Cumming is playing her second consecutive season with the Kilsyth Cobras, in both seasons she has been coached by former Dandenong Rangers teammate Sam Woosnam. Kilsyth lost the 2015 SEABL Championship Final to the Dandenong Rangers 76 to 63.
At 20 years of age Cumming made her debut for the Australian Opals in 2011 and she was part of the emerging Opals squad that won a bronze medal at the 2013 World University Games. Earlier this year Cumming attended the Jayco Australian Opals camps 1 and 2 in March and April before being cut from the Opals squad for the Olympic Games in Rio, 17 players remain in the squad including one Dandenong Rangers player – Sara Blicavs who is a member of the 12 player Opals squad on a tour to Japan from May 3 to May 12.
During her 10 season WNBL career Steph Cumming has played a total of 228 WNBL games at three clubs averaging 10.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game and has played in two WNBL Championships. In all seven seasons since graduating from the AIS Cumming has averaged more than 10 points per game. In five seasons Cumming has had a free-throw accuracy above 85% including three seasons where she has exceeded 90%.
In an important signing for the club given her skill-set, work ethic and leadership capabilities Steph Cumming will be returning to play her seventh WNBL season with the Dandenong Rangers in 2016/17 and her 11th season in the league overall. Cumming has played 133 WNBL games for Dandenong and needs to play 22 more games to reach the milestone of 250 WNBL games.
In her 10th season in the WNBL, Dandenong Rangers shooting guard Steph Cumming elevated her game to a new level to emerge as one of the 10 best players in the league during the 2015/16 season, playing excellent basketball both offensively and defensively which resulted in her finishing equal seventh in the WNBL MVP award and winning the WNBL Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year award. With her mix of athleticism, scoring capability – particularly with her preferred jump shot, durability, shooting accuracy, and outstanding defense Steph Cumming was a very worthy winner of the Dandenong Rangers 2015/16 Most Valuable Player Award.
By Dean Andrews
Twitter – @DeanAndrews7777
1 http://dandenong.starcommunity.com.au/journal/2015-10-08/rangers-ready-to-excite/
2 http://wnbl.com.au/201516-defensive-player-of-the-year/
Milestones and misses 