Spirit matches best streak of season

BENDIGO Spirit has matched its best winning streak of this season’s Cygnett Women’s Basketball League action.

For the second time this campaign, Bendigo has won nine matches in a row.

With top spot and home semi-finals locked in, Spirit has a rest this weekend before it heads to Canberra on February 15 to play the last match of the home-and-away series.

Latest hit-out for the Kennedy Kereama-coached Spirit was last Sunday’s match against Southside Flyers at Red Energy Arena.

Southside defeated Spirit just before the Christmas break.

The Flyers also had Australian Opals and Spirit legend Kristi Harrower as coach and her dad, Bernie who is a dual championship-winning coach with Bendigo as assistant coach for Southside.

On Sunday it was a Spirit line-up led by Paris Olympics bronze medallists, Sami Whitcomb and Marianna Tolo who had a major impact.

Whitcomb poured in 33 points and racked up six steals in the 92-73 victory.

A strong presence at both ends of the court, Tolo finished with 22 points and nine rebounds.

Guard Veronica Burton, 10 points and seven rebounds, and Abbey Wehrung and Casey Samuels on nine and eight points again showed Spirit’s scoring depth.

The Spirit and UC Capitals on February 15 tips off at 3.30pm at the AIS.

Bendigo will be aiming to roll into the finals by winning its 19th match of the season.

Semi-finals will be played on February 22, 26, and March 1.

The Sydney Flames hold fourth place in the premiership race.