BENDIGO Spirit makes its way to Mildura to take on Sydney Flames in this Friday night\u2019s second round match in the Cygnett Women\u2019s National Basketball League season.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the second time in less than seven weeks Spirit plays at Mildura\u2019s Sporting Precinct.<\/p>\n
Stakes are much higher than the September match when Spirit faced Mildura Heat\u2019s men\u2019s team in a pre-season warm-up.<\/p>\n
Spirit and Flames are both on the rebound from the season opener which was also Indigenous Round when they play in Mildura from 7.30pm.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are expecting a tough match and know we can be a lot better,\u201d Spirit coach Kennedy Kereama said of facing the Flames\u2019 heat.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor us it\u2019s a lot about limiting the amount of turnovers.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome lapses in concentration really hurt us,\u201d he said of the first-round defeat.<\/p>\n
Momentum and scoring runs switched dramatically as Spirit was beaten 80-93 by Townsville in last Saturday night\u2019s home game at Red Energy Arena in West Bendigo.<\/p>\n
Although Spirit won the rebounding duels, 35-24, and had higher field goal percentage, 50 to 47, Fire\u2019s free-throw accuracy and three-point shooting were key factors.<\/p>\n
Spirit won last season\u2019s match against Adelaide Lightning in Mildura.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe support we had in Mildura was superb,\u201d Kereama said of that contest in the north. \u201cAs a club a big focus for Spirit is on community and taking the game to regional centres.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the people of Mildura and Sunraysia it\u2019s a chance to see top-level basketball.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Spirit squad in \u201923-24 includes Alicia Froling, Mehryn Kraker, Casey Samuels, Alex Wilson and centre Ruth Davis.<\/p>\n
Kelly Wilson brings 400-plus games of experience, a WNBL record, to the court for Bendigo.<\/p>\n
Spirit captain and multiple grand final MVP award winner Kelsey Griffin will again be on the sidelines as she recovers from a hamstring injury.<\/p>\n
The Flames went down 71-85 against Perth Lynx in the west.<\/p>\n
\u201cSydney is a well-balanced team. It\u2019s not about stopping two or three players. Team defence will be crucial,\u201d Kereama said of taking on the Guy Molloy-coached Flames.<\/p>\n
Cayla George, Lauren Nicholson and Didi Richards are key members of Sydney\u2019s line-up.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BENDIGO Spirit makes its way to Mildura to take on Sydney Flames in this Friday night\u2019s second round match in the Cygnett Women\u2019s National Basketball League season. It\u2019s the second time in less than seven weeks Spirit plays at Mildura\u2019s Sporting Precinct. Stakes are much higher than the September match when Spirit faced Mildura Heat\u2019s […]<\/p>\n