Spirit readies for Fire’s energy

ON AN eight-game winning streak, Bendigo Spirit faces Townsville Fire’s heat in this Saturday night’s match in round seven of the Cygnett Women’s National Basketball League season.

Unbeaten and on top of the ladder, Spirit is back on its court at Red Energy Arena in West Bendigo.

The showdown with Townsville, which has a four-three record, starts at 5pm.

When these clubs last met in round three, it was Bendigo that took control in the final quarter to complete an 84-76 victory on Fire’s court in Townsville.

Spirit’s attack was led brilliantly by guard and Paris Olympics bronze medallist Sami Whitcomb as she racked up 30 points, seven assists and six rebounds.

Although the league has only just passed the halfway mark of the home-and-away series, Whitcomb’s play has her well in contention for Most Valuable Player honours.

The most recent hit-out for Whitcomb and her Spirit teammates was last Thursday night’s match in the west against Perth Lynx.

Bendigo and Perth were one-two in the standings leading into the round.

After facing an eight-point deficit just over a minute into the final term, Bendigo turned the game.

The Kennedy Kereama-coached Spirit went on a nine-nil run and by the final buzzer led to seal a 72-66 victory.

It was a triple-double for Whitcomb of 16 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists.

In her second match back from injury, Spirit captain Kelsey Griffin scored a team-high 17 points as Marianna Tolo reached 14.

Guard Veronica Burton won 11 rebounds and scored seven points.

A formidable Bendigo team includes Casey Samuels, Abbey Wehrung and WNBL games record-holder Kelly Wilson.

Key players in the Townsville Fire lineup include Zia Cook, Lauren Cox, Abbey Ellis and Alex Fowler.

As Spirit headed west last round, it was a break for Townsville following a 106-80 loss in Perth.