Match with Canberra caps big week

SUNDAY’S clash with UC Capitals from Canberra caps a big week in the Cygnett Women’s National Basketball League season for Bendigo Spirit.

It’s two games in five days at Red Energy Arena in West Bendigo as Spirit took on Adelaide Lightning last Wednesday, and faces the Caps on Sunday from 3.30pm.

Spirit coach Kennedy Kereama said the Capitals presented many challenges.

Last round the Caps marked their best road win of the season when they upstaged Southside Flyers, 75-65.

“There is a lot of talent in the Capitals team,” Kereama said.

Jade Melbourne and Alex Sharp led the attack against Southside on 17 points each as Nicole Munger tipped in 15 and Gemma Potter added 14.

The Caps go into the 11th round in eighth place on a three and nine record.

“Their run has been similar to Spirit’s,” said Kereama. “They have been competitive in most matches, and showed against Southside what they are capable of.

“They like to play a high tempo game of basketball.

“For us it’s about controlling momentum as much as we can. There will be times to go for quick points, but others on slowing the game down.

“There are no easy matches in this league,” Kereama said of Spirit’s quest to keep the heat on the top-four teams.

Spirit again showed a lot of fight and skill in its match against reigning champion, Townsville Fire at The Arena in Geelong last Sunday.

Bendigo was within five points of Fire going into the final term but a couple of lapses proved costly as Townsville netted an 86-72 victory.

“We did a lot right for so many minutes in that match,” said Kereama. “When we met Townsville earlier in the season it was about matching them for a half, then three quarters.

“This time it was about minute by minute,” he said of being up against the likes of Stephanie Reid, Sami Whitcomb and Zitina Aokuso.

“To beat the best you have to play exceptional basketball for most of the 40 minutes.”

For Bendigo the play of Alex Wilson, Alicia Froling, Mehryn Kraker and Kelsey Griffin were highlights.