Harrowers eye winning return

FATHER and daughter Bernie and Kristi Harrower will eye a winning return to Red Energy Arena this Sunday in the Cygnett WNBL showdown between Bendigo Spirit and Southside Flyers.

On- and off-court legends for the Spirit as player and coach in the club’s only two championship triumphs, the Harrowers will be back at a stadium they know well.

It’s one-all in this season’s duels between Spirit and Southside.

The 24 November match in Ballarat went Bendigo’s way, 79–71.

Next time it was Southside which won a thriller on its court 91–88 just three days before Christmas.

Since then the Kennedy Kereama-coached Spirit is on a seven-game winning streak and leading the WNBL ladder. A four-time Olympian and triple WNBL championship player, Kristi Harrower is in her first season as main coach at Southside.

Key players for Southside include Bec Cole, Naz Hillman, Carley Ernst, Dallas Loughridge and Maddi Rocci.

The match in Bendigo completes a tough round for Southside, which was home for last Wednesday night’s clash with Townsville Fire, as Spirit played in Geelong.

An in-form Bendigo team includes Olympians Sami Whitcomb and Marianna Tolo, captain Kelsey Griffin, WNBL games and assists record-holder Kelly Wilson, Veronica Burton and Casey Samuels.

Bendigo withstood a spirited challenge from Lightning to win last Friday’s match at REA by six points.

Sunday’s match tips off at 12.30pm.

Spirit will again offer free tickets for under-14s in what will be the club’s final home game of the regular season.