Adelaide Lightning’s new coach Chris Lucas so liked what he heard about Hume City Broncos star Colleen Planeta he decided to come and see her in action for himself.
A dominant force in Big V state championship competition since arriving from America in 2014, Planeta has won the past two Big V state championships’ most valuable player awards.
And it would come as no surprise if she makes it three in a row next month.
Lucas has coached Townsville Fire to the past two Women’s National Basketball League titles, and said he had seen enough to sign Planeta to play in the country’s top competition.
“I was just grateful for Chris coming to watch,” Planeta said last week.
“He sent someone the week before, who lives in Melbourne, to watch.
“Then he said to me: ‘I’d like to come see you play myself …
“The game he came to, I didn’t play that well, which was annoying. He said: ‘I know you’re capable of a lot more’.”
The offer to join the Lightning was too good to refuse, which means Planeta has put her retirement plans on hold, again.
Three years ago, the American made the decision to focus on coaching before an email from then Broncos’ coach Warren Taylor changed that and she headed Down Under.
The 27-year-old had decided this would be her third and final season playing for the Broncos before heading home and “starting a real career”.
“I came out for one year. I fell in love with my team and the club as a whole, and kept coming back,” she said.
“They asked me at the end of last year to come back again.
“I said don’t ask me again next year, as I have to go home and start a real career.
“But I couldn’t say no to this opportunity.”
Planeta said she had only had initial conversations about her role with the Lightning, but said she would be expected to provide leadership on court for the young playing group.
Having played against such WNBL luminaries as Tegan Cunningham and Carley Mijovic, Planeta is confident she can hold her own at the next level.
With her basketball future sorted, for now, Planeta has her heart set on a second state championship title with the Broncos.
She was part of the Broncos’ side that won in 2014, only to fall short at the last hurdle last year. Finishing on top of the ladder with a 21-1 record, the Broncos had last weekend off.
Their finals campaign starts this weekend.
“That’s all that is on my mind,” Planeta said.
“We’ve had a good season, but we haven’t done anything yet. We’re a hundred per cent focused on winning.
“Saturday [game of two of the grand final series] is my birthday. So I’d love to win and have a big party.”
