PRELIMINARIES are done as the fight for championship points begins.<\/p>\n
A new-look Bendigo Spirit takes to its court at Red Energy Arena this Saturday night for game one of the Cygnett WNBL season.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a huge task for the Kennedy Kereama-coached Spirit against the reigning champions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a challenge we have known about for a while and are really keen to take on,\u201d Kereama said.<\/p>\n
Defensive intensity will be a key to Spirit\u2019s play against the Shannon Seebohm-coached Fire.<\/p>\n
\u201cTownsville has so many talented players. It\u2019s not a case of stop one or two, they have so many scoring options,\u201d Kereama said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes you can be caught up in what the opposition is doing, so it\u2019s important to focus on what we do well and execute.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spirit has played 10 matches across the pre-season which included a series in South Korea.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s been a lot of work going into different combinations and plays,\u201d Kereama said of working toward reaching play-offs and challenging to be the number one team.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe changes we have made mean we have a lot more versatility, and a lot of players capable of scoring from the perimeter.\u201d<\/p>\n
Newcomers to the Spirit line-up include centre Ruth Davis, New Zealander Esra McGoldrick, and guard Mehryn Kraker.<\/p>\n
They team up with the likes of Alicia Froling, and WNBL games record-holder and four-time championship winner Kelly Wilson.<\/p>\n
An incredible career of 400-plus games in the league includes two championship victories with Spirit, and also titles with Townsville Fire and Canberra Capitals.<\/p>\n
Spirit starts the season with 2019 league MVP and four-time champion Kelsey Griffin sidelined by a hamstring injury.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe played 10 matches across the pre-season without KG,\u201d Kereama said. \u201cBeing injured is a huge blow, but creates an opportunity for others.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although she is likely to miss the opening two or three rounds, Griffin\u2019s in-game insights will be a huge plus to the team.<\/p>\n
Players to watch for Townsville include Sami Whitcomb, Steph Reid, Mikaela Ruff and Courtney Woods.<\/p>\n
The Spirit and Fire showdown tips off at 5pm at the Marong Road venue.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PRELIMINARIES are done as the fight for championship points begins. A new-look Bendigo Spirit takes to its court at Red Energy Arena this Saturday night for game one of the Cygnett WNBL season. It\u2019s a huge task for the Kennedy Kereama-coached Spirit against the reigning champions. \u201cThis is a challenge we have known about for […]<\/p>\n