Hang the bunting! Bunton’s on board

THE eighth basketballer to sign on with the Ballarat Miners Women for 2024 is former Canberra Capitals star, Alex Bunton.

At 196 centimetres, Bunton will bring WNBL and European playing experience to the team when the NBL1 South season arrives on Wednesday 3 April.

“I’m super excited about joining the Miners family,” she said.

“Working with [coach] Kennedy [Kereama] is something that I’ve wanted to do for a while now and I’m grateful that I get to be a part of his vision for the upcoming season.”

“I can’t wait to meet all the girls and get the season rolling! The club so far has been so welcoming, so we feel right at home.”

The centre contributed to 12 games with the Capitals in 2023 and was on court for an average of almost 17 minutes.

“I am really pumped to be reconnected with Alex after our time together in Canberra during the 21/22 WNBL season,” Kereama said.

“Bunts will bring some much-needed size

and is a great target in the post, will add

defensive paint presence, can rebound at both ends, and will add a voice and leadership on the court.

“Her experience in the game speaks for itself and she has played at a multitude of levels. Bunts most importantly is a great human and has been a great community person in every playing environment she has been a part of.

“I know she will have a great impact in Ballarat both on and off the court.”

Basketball Ballarat chief executive, Neville Ivey, said Bunton has an elite edge to bring to the Miners women.

“Her leadership qualities and maturity on and off court will be invaluable to our young playing group and a great mentor for our women’s and girls’ program broadly,” he said.

Bunton joins Mehryn Kraker, Micah Simpson, Ella Gordon, Abbey Wehrung, Millie Cracknell, Milly Sharp, and Jemma Amoore on the team. The Miners play Bendigo at home at Selkirk Stadium on Wednesday 3 April.