Spirit sweeps semis against Sydney

BENDIGO Spirit achieved a clean-sweep in its Cygnett Women’s National Basketball League semi-final series on Thursday night.

A decade after it was runner-up to Townsville in the WNBL championship decider, Spirit is up against the Flames when the grand final series starts next Wednesday at Bendigo’s Red Energy Arena.

Spirit tipped off its finals campaign by scoring a 76-67 victory at home.

After the Flames again made a hot start to game two in the semis on their court at Quaycentre it was Spirit which took control through quarters two and four.

The Flames charged to a 31-23 lead by quarter-time.

The Kennedy Kereama-coached Spirit struck back to dominate the second term, 30-13.

By the long break Bendigo held an 11-point buffer.

Sydney fought on to win the third term, 23-20, but there was no stopping Bendigo in the last.

Strong defence has played a crucial part in Spirit’s run across a win-loss tally of 18-3 in the finals and was in the opening two games of the play-offs.

Bendigo kept Sydney to a tally of seven points in the final term as it added 18.

At the final buzzer Spirit led 91-74.

The Suzy Batkovic medallist as the league’s Most Valuable Player for the 2024-25 season, Sami Whitcomb racked up 22 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in another superb game.

Four team-mates were also in double figures in the points scored list.

Chasing a fifth WNBL title, Kelsey Griffin and Kelly Wilson scored 15 and 14 rebounds and also won five rebounds apiece.

The league’s record-holder for games played and assists, Wilson dished out another five assists in this contest.

Dynamic guard Veronica Burton added 12 points and four assists, as centre Marianna Tolo, 14 points, and Spirit’s ‘breakout award’ recipient Casey Samuels chipped in with nine points.

The Flames attack was led by guard Tahlia Tupaea, 24 points, as brilliant centre Cayla George scored 15 points, won six rebounds and dished out six assists.

Bonnie Deas and Carla Pitman scored 12 points each.

Townsville Fire charged into the grand final series by beating Perth Lynx in both semi-finals.

The Fire followed up a 92-87 victory on Perth’s court by scoring a 106-76 win in Townsville on Wednesday night.

Dates for the WNBL grand finals will be March 5, 9, and if required, 12th.