Rebounding ability faces test

IT’S not just Bendigo Spirit’s ability to win rebounds that’s under the microscope in this weekend’s seventh round of the Cygnett Women’s National Basketball League season.

Spirit’s response from a 25-point defeat inflicted by Southside Flyers last Saturday night will be under scrutiny.

A big weekend for Bendigo tips off with Friday’s match against Adelaide Lightning at Geelong Arena from 7.30pm.

Spirit returns home to Red Energy Arena in West Bendigo on Sunday for a 5.30pm showdown with Southside Flyers.

“Both of these matches are a massive opportunity and test for us,” Spirit coach Kennedy Kereama said.

“We made so many basic errors against Southside and they punished us,” he said of the 51-76 result.

“It was not just poor shooting from the field or free-throw line that hurt us. Our spacing in defence was not great and the Flyers capitalised on that.

“To the girls credit they did the player review on Monday and identified areas they have to work at as a team, and individually.

“There are adjustments we have to make to be a lot better than what we were on Saturday night and being back to the style of game we played to beat Adelaide and then Sydney.

“I am confident there will be a strong response in both games we play this weekend.”

Southside improved its season record to 5-2 and holds third place going into this round which included Thursday night’s home clash with Townsville at the State Basketball Centre.

Spirit is now 2-5 and sixth in the play offs race.

A crucial weekend for the Spirit squad tips off against a Lightning team in seventh place on a 2-7 record.

“Adelaide took last weekend’s game against Perth into overtime,” Kereama said. “We beat them in Adelaide and know it will be another tough match.”