In a tough introduction for the ANZ Premiership's new team, the Northern Stars, the Steel ruthlessly notched a 75-57 win in Hamilton yesterday.
Its 75 points equalled the fifth-highest total in franchise history and the winning margin of 18 has been topped only six times.
After a nervy start, when it trailed 11-8, the Steel hit its stride late in the first quarter.
It went on a 7-1 run to finish the quarter, looking slick through the midcourt and playing with speed and accuracy.
That momentum carried into the second quarter.
After a 5-1 run, the Steel held a 20-13 lead, one which the Stars never threatened to overhaul.
They did show some fight to stem the flow of goals and hold the score to 35-26 at halftime.
The Stars then matched the Steel in the third quarter and held the deficit to nine at 51-42.
However, the Steel pulled away in a dominant fourth quarter.
Goal shoot Jhaniele Fowler-Reid was her usual dominant self.
She provided a target for long feeds and shot 52 from 54 as she proved difficult to stop from establishing good position in the circle.
Gina Crampton stood out in a midcourt that at times looked very good, while Jane Watson was outstanding on defence.
Coach Reinga Bloxham was happy with the performance, although she said the Steel was still not the finished product.
''It was a little bit patchy at the start,'' she said.
''It just took us a while to get settled and get a little bit of rhythm.
''But once we did there was some good stuff, but definitely a few things to work on.''
She said the team's connections and timing had not been quite where it wanted them and hoped to keep working on those.
However, she was pleased with the impact the substitutions had made, as well as the grind and patience the side had shown.
That, coupled with the speed in transition, had been key to the win.
''There was some really good stuff.
''Once we got a bit of speed up and let that ball go it looked really good.
''But I think at times the Stars did a really good job of disrupting our flow and our timing, so you've got to give credit to them.''
She thought the Stars had quality players and were a team that could potentially be a threat if they could get things to click.
Youngster Abby Erwood and Jamie Hume both got court time for the Steel.
Erwood started at goal defence as Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit was returning from an ankle injury.
She had a strong showing, while Hume scored three goals on debut in the fourth quarter.
Getting them on the court had been a big plus for Bloxham, who felt both performed well.
''With the nature of this competition you're only as strong as the people on your bench.
''So exposing them at this level is what we have to do.
''I think it's really important that they get as much game time as possible.''
Selby-Rickit played most of the second half, and her ankle was fine, but the side was still managing her early on.
The South Beko League team got its campaign off to a losing start on Saturday.
After leading Mainland 12-9 at the end of the first quarter, it dropped the remaining three quarters to go down 44-36 in Lincoln.
-By Jeff Cheshire
