Spirit ready to fight Flames

SIXTH and fifth in the Cygnett WNBL standings, Bendigo Spirit and Sydney Flames face a huge match in Friday night’s eighth round of the basketball season.

This season’s meetings stand at one-all as Spirit makes it way to Sydney’s Quaycentre.

In round four Bendigo overturned a 15-point deficit to score an 82-66 win against Sydney at Red Energy Arena.

First contest of the 2023-24 campaign for these clubs ended in a 68-62 victory for Sydney in round two on Mildura’s court.

Spirit coach Kennedy Kereama said there was plenty at stake going into the Christmas break and with a win and loss last weekend, Bendigo has a three and six record.

Spirit tipped off the round by scoring an 81-77 win against Adelaide Lightning at The Arena in Geelong.

On Sunday it was a showdown with the in-form Southside Flyers.

Bendigo led by eight points in the second, but a 20-6 run from late in the half into the early minutes of term three put the Flyers in control.

“There were plenty of momentum changes throughout the game,” Kereama said.

“We did a great job defensively, especially in the first quarter and limited the impact their talls [Lauren Jackson, Mercedes Russell and Carley Ernst] would have.”

What Spirit could not halt was Southside’s guards in Bec Cole and Maddi Rocci who scored 24 points apiece as Flyers won 91-81.

“Again we showed our ability to compete, but it was not the result we wanted,” Kereama said. “The match in Sydney is incredibly important.”

The Flames will be fired up after a 48-70 loss to the ladder-leading Townsville Fire at Quaycentre on Saturday.

A tough stretch for Bendigo includes the December 30 clash with Melbourne Boomers at Parkville.