Lightning coach cries foul over refereeing ‘disrespect’
Steve Barrett |
Adelaide Lightning coach Aja Parham-Ammar has accused officials of disrespecting her team following their 82-77 loss to the Southside Melbourne Flyers in the WNBL.
The Lightning had led by seven points at three-quarter-time in Melbourne on Saturday, and were still in front by that margin midway through the fourth term, before being outscored by the Flyers 20-4 for the rest of the contest.
While Southside undoubtedly played stronger basketball down the stretch, Parham-Ammar believes her side were given a raw deal by the officiating.
“The disappointment in how that game was refereed was beyond question right now,” she said.
“I’m actually a bit frustrated, to say the least, with the lack of respect my team gets on the court.
“I think there’s a level of respect that the players I’m coaching deserve and demand. Ref the game appropriately.”
Import centre Sania Feagin was whistled four times, including a technical in the third quarter for swearing, while forward Sharne Robati fouled out with 50 seconds remaining on an offensive foul.
Adelaide, who crashed to the bottom of the league ladder with the defeat, were called for five fouls in the final term while the Flyers’ didn’t receive any.
“We get Sania Feagin getting a tech for cussing at the ref,” Parham-Ammar said.
“Then the same thing happens with the other team and there’s no tech called – there’s nothing called.
“Apparently they didn’t foul us the entire fourth quarter.
“That’s just how basketball goes.”
AAP
