{"id":102275,"date":"2025-02-14T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-13T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/bendigotimes\/?p=102275"},"modified":"2025-02-13T10:52:08","modified_gmt":"2025-02-12T23:52:08","slug":"spirit-returns-to-capitals-territory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/bendigotimes\/sport\/spirit-returns-to-capitals-territory\/","title":{"rendered":"Spirit returns to Capitals’ territory"},"content":{"rendered":"

THE ladder-leading Bendigo Spirit returns to Canberra for this Saturday’s round 16 match in the Cygnett Women’s National Basketball League season.<\/p>\n

Already assured of ending the home-and-away series in first place, Bendigo will be keen to mark a 19th victory as it gears up to host a semi-final.<\/p>\n

The Capitals and Spirit match tips off at 3.30pm at AIS Arena.<\/p>\n

Canberra could still be in play-offs contention as it takes on Bendigo, but reaching the top four will not be easy.<\/p>\n

As Bendigo had a bye last round the Capitals went down to Sydney Flames 86-71 in last Sunday’s match at AIS Arena.<\/p>\n

The Flames round out the regular season with home games at Quaycentre against Townsville on Wednesday night and then play Southside Flyers on Saturday.<\/p>\n

This season’s matches between Bendigo and Canberra stand at two-nil in favour of Spirit.<\/p>\n

In round two, Bendigo won 99-76 at AIS Arena.<\/p>\n

Spirit then won 98-78 in the fifth round showdown at Red Energy Arena in West Bendigo.<\/p>\n

There have been many keys to the Kennedy Kereama-coached Spirit’s rise to top of the ladder this season.<\/p>\n

Major factors include the experience and skill of Paris Olympics bronze medallists Sami Whitcomb and Marianna Tolo.<\/p>\n

Add in the defensive energy and attacking prowess of captain Kelsey Griffin, Veronica Burton and Kelly Wilson and Spirit is a formidable squad.<\/p>\n

Then there’s the added scoring punch provided by Casey Samuels and Abbey Wehrung.<\/p>\n

Bendigo will be wary of a Canberra line-up which has a four-five record at home.<\/p>\n

Players to watch in the Capitals squad include Jade Melbourne, Nyadiew Puoch, Nicole Munger, Indiah Bowyer, Monique Bobongie, Charli Collier and Abby Bishop.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

THE ladder-leading Bendigo Spirit returns to Canberra for this Saturday’s round 16 match in the Cygnett Women’s National Basketball League season. Already assured of ending the home-and-away series in first place, Bendigo will be keen to mark a 19th victory as it gears up to host a semi-final. The Capitals and Spirit match tips off […]<\/p>\n

Read More…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":200,"featured_media":102355,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-102275","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sport"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSpirit returns to Capitals' territory - Bendigo Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Bendigo Spirit returns to Canberra for a crucial Cygnett WNBL match this Saturday. With top ladder status secured, Spirit aims for a 19th win. 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