Intensity’s up as finals tip off

THE intensity will be high as Bendigo Spirit and the Sydney Flames make long-awaited returns to the Cygnett Women’s National Basketball League finals series this Sunday.

Game one in a best-of-three semi-final duel between the teams tips off at Bendigo’s Red Energy Arena at 3.30pm.

After finishing the regular season with an 18-3 record and on top of the ladder, Spirit will be aiming to make a hot start on its court in West Bendigo.

The Kennedy Kereama-coached Spirit won all three clashes with Sydney in the run to the play-offs by margins of 19, 15 and 18 points.

Expectations and pressure go up a notch as Bendigo and Sydney strive to reach the season decider.

Spirit’s winning streak of nine matches was broken in a 83-74 loss to Canberra Capitals on the AIS court last Saturday night.

The Bendigo squad could not halt a Jade Melbourne-inspired Capitals as the brilliant guard scored 40 points, won 10 rebounds and dished out seven assists.

Bendigo’s best was Veronica Burton on 29 points and seven assists.

Now the focus is on the Guy Molloy-coached Flames, who will be aiming to strike back from consecutive defeats in the final round.

Spirit brings plenty of big game experience to the court – Sami Whitcomb and Marianna Tolo joined Spirit not long after the Opals teammates won bronze at the Paris Olympics.

An outstanding record for Whitcomb includes two WNBA championships in the United States with Seattle Storm.

Tolo is a three-time WNBL championship winner and her rebounding ability has played a big part in Spirit’s run to the play-offs for the first time since 2014-15.

Stars in Spirit’s run to WNBL titles in 2013 and 2014, Kelsey Griffin and Kelly Wilson are still having a major impact. The Flames may have gun centre Cayla George back on court after being sidelined by an ankle injury.

Game two in the semi-final series between Bendigo and Sydney will be on the Flames court on 27 February from 7pm at Quaycentre. A third match, if required, will be on 2 March from 2.30pm at Bendigo’s Red Energy Arena.

More info and tickets visit Bendigo Spirit website.