Slammers shocked as Sitzmann retires

The Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers will be without superstar import Kim Sitzmann next season after the American unexpectedly retired from basketball.

Sitzmann last week informed Slammers coach Darren Austin she had accepted a coaching position in her home town of Cabot, Arkansas, and would not be returning in 2014.

“We’d been in contact for the past few weeks and it looked like Kim would be coming back so it did take me a little bit by surprise to be honest,” he said.

“She did indicate last year the possibility of coaching in her home town but she was back this season and I thought that was the end of it.”

Speaking to the South Western Times from Arkansas this week, Sitzmann said she had been contemplating the decision for the better part of a month and would coach at a local junior high school while studying towards a teaching degree.

“A position here at home opened up and it’s an opportunity that won’t always be available,” she said.

“I believe it can really jump start an awesome coaching career so I decided to grab it.”

Sitzmann joined the Slammers at the start of the 2012 season as a replacement for the injured Rachele Kloke and the bustling power forward had an immediate impact, starring in an 88-51 victory over Perry Lakes in her first game for the team.

She went on to average 19.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and three steals for the season, which ended in a maiden women’s Slammers’ Championship — and Grand Final MVP honours for Sitzmann.

“The club had never won more than eight games in a single season before and I love that I got to be a part of that history,” she said.

“Most wins, first ever playoff appearance, champions. It was also history for me because I had never won a professional championship.”

Sitzmann returned this season and once again led the Slammers to the playoffs as the eighth seed where the team made waves by eliminating minor premiers Willetton Tigers for the second straight year.

Austin said Sitzmann would be sorely missed and the search for a replacement had already begun.

“Whenever you lose the MVP of your team and also a starting WSBL All Star they’re going to be hard to replace,” he said.

“On the court she brought leadership and her considerable talent.

“But she was also great off the court, she got on with everyone and was very well liked.

“We’re going through Kim’s agent and looking for a Kim-type player to replace her, a three-man who can shoot the ball, post up and is hard to match up on.”

Sitzmann thanked her Aussie family, especially Paula and Cassady Anderson and Steve and Abbey Regterschot, for making her time in WA special.

“The entire Slammers family contributed to my love for WA and made this decision a very hard one to make,” she said.

“I love and appreciate everyone involved with my time there and want to thank everyone for being so supportive.”

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