Writing and photographs by Dean Andrews
Round 4 of the Cygnett WNBL 2023/24 season commenced on Wednesday night in thrilling fashion with the Southside Flyers fighting back from a 21 point deficit in the second quarter against Perth Lynx to record a two point win at home. After trailing by 15 points midway through the second quarter Bendigo Spirit outplayed Sydney Flames for the remainder of the game to break a 10 game losing streak. The Melbourne Boomers survived a massive scare to extend their season opening winning streak to five games, defeating the UC Capitals in overtime at the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium. The three Victorian teams all had a victory at home in Round 4. Reigning WNBL Champions Townsville Fire won both games of their road double by more than 15 points, defeating Adelaide Lightning and Perth Lynx.
Southside Flyers fight back from a 20 point half-time deficit to defeat Perth Lynx
In the opening game of Round 4 the Southside Flyers hosted the Perth Lynx at the State Basketball Centre on Wednesday night 22 November in the game of the week broadcast on ESPN. After winning their first three games of the season at home Perth were on their first road trip of 2023/24 and were without three of their main roster players, Alex Ciabattoni and Ash Hannan were both out with COVID and Stephanie Gorman missed due to a foot injury. Perth’s full strength starting line-up of Aari McDonald, Miela Goodchild, Amy Atwell, Anneli Maley and Emily Potter were all suiting for the Lynx against Southside and it was likely that they would have to play more minutes than usual due to the club being undermanned.
In their first four games Southside had two wins and two losses to be fourth on the ladder. Seven players on a main roster of a WNBL club are over 193 centimetres tall with Southside having three players in this category – Mercedes Russell (198 centimetres tall), Carley Ernst (196) and Lauren Jackson (195). Perth’s Canadian import centre Potter is a similar size at 195 centimetres tall but her frontcourt teammates Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard (191) and Anneli Maley (185) would be undersized against their Flyers counterparts. On the flipside one of Perth’s greatest strengths is their transition game, an area that Southside were badly beaten in their previous game against the Lightning in Round 3, losing the fast break points count 8-22.
Southside scored the first five points of the opening Round 4 game and it took 100 seconds for Perth to open their account with a Potter jump shot. The floodgates opened and Perth went into overdrive. Amy Atwell scored the next six points of the game comprised of a lay up and four free throws to give the Lynx an 8-5 lead with seven minutes and four seconds left in the opening term. Perth dominated the rest of the quarter to lead 32-17 at quarter time and shot the ball proficiently from the field to have a field goal accuracy of 54.5%.
Perth extended their lead to a game-high, 21 points, 46-25 with four minutes and 52 seconds to play in the second term. The two teams were evenly matched for the remainder of the quarter and with a superb first half of basketball Perth had established a 20 point lead, 54-34 at half-time. Potter had already recorded a double-double comprised of 16 points and 10 rebounds to help the Lynx lead the rebound count 28-17 at the main break.
Aari McDonald playing for Perth Lynx against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 22 November 2023
In the second half Southside Flyers Head Coach Cheryl Chambers implemented a zone which played a critical role in changing the momentum of the game. At the other end of the court Southside were able to utilise their size advantage in the front court on offense. Jackson made Southside’s first two field goals in the first 90 seconds of the third quarter. After a Nyadiew Puoch three pointer Russell made three lay ups to reduce Perth’s lead to 14 points 47-61 with six minutes and eight seconds remaining in the third quarter. In the second half of the third term Ernst scored 11 points to drive a Flyers 14-8 run to reduce the margin to seven points 64-71 at the last change. During this purple patch Ernst made two lay ups, a two point jump shot, a three-pointer and two free throws.
Carley Ernst shooting a three-pointer for Southside Flyers in the third quarter against Perth Lynx at the State Basketball Centre on 22 November 2023
A three-pointer each to Flyers captain Bec Cole and vice captain Maddi Rocci contributed to Southside drawing level with Perth 73 all with eight minutes and eight seconds to play in the fourth quarter. Perth responded in emphatic fashion to go on a 11-2 run concluding with two Maley lay ups with the last one being a three-point play to lead by nine points, 84-75 with five minutes and 37 seconds to play. Southside made some inroads into the lead and a Jackson three-pointer and a Russell driving layup tied the scores at 89 points apiece with one minute and 14 seconds to play. Perth provided a quick response 10 seconds later with Maley making a three-pointer after receiving an assist from McDonald to give the Lynx a 92-89 lead.
Mercedes Russell making a field goal for Southside Flyers in the fourth quarter of the game against Perth Lynx at the State Basketball Centre on 22 November 2023
Following a Southside time out Dickey made a jump shot to reduce Perth’s lead to one point. On the next possession Russell got a steal. Cole made a three-pointer from the corner to give Southside a 94-92 lead with 20 seconds remaining in the fourth term. Perth called back-to-back timeouts and worked on a plan to draw level or take the lead. In the final possession Southside played man to man defense. McDonald’s lay up was blocked by Russell with six seconds to play. McDonald got the ball back and attempted a jump shot, Potter got the offensive rebound but missed the put back attempt and Southside triumphed with an unlikely two point win, 94-92.
A WNBL team scored 30 points or more in a quarter three times in Round 4 with all three of these instances being in the Southside-Perth shoot-out. Perth’s 32 points in the first quarter was a round-high. After scoring a total of 34 points in the first half to trail by 20 points at half time Southside shot at more than 60% in both the third and fourth quarters and scored 30 points in each term to pull off another great escape. In the second half Southside won the rebound count 23-14 and had 20 assists to Perth’s 10. Russell and Jackson scored 19 and 15 points respectively and each took nine rebounds to fall one rebound short of a double-double. Ernst was extremely efficient to score 14 points in 16 minutes and 11 seconds court-time and was one of five Flyers to score at least 12 points, being joined in this category by guards Cole (14 points) and Rocci (12). Rocci and Mitchell each had six assists, followed by Dickey with four.
Perth duo Potter and Goodchild were the games two highest scorers with 22 points and 21 points respectively and each had a field goal accuracy of at least 60%. Fellow starters McDonald (15 points), Maley (14) and Atwell (12) all scored at least 12 points. McDonald had a game-high eight assists and Perth had the two leading rebounders for the game – Potter (15) and Maley (13). All five Perth starters played more than 30 minutes court-time. With three players missing Perth’s bench was outscored 8-26 which proved critical. All of the Lynx’s bench points were scored by Mac Clinch Hoycard.
Goodchild shooting a three-pointer for Perth Lynx in the third quarter against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 22 November 2023
With three minutes and 20 seconds to play Southside trailed Perth by seven points 80-87. It was the second time in three games that Southside performed Houdini act to escape from a precarious position to record a fightback victory after trailing by at least seven points with less than four minutes to play in the fourth quarter. The Flyers previously achieved this feat on the road against Townsville in Round 2 when they trailed by nine points 62-71 with three minutes and 32 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Southside finished the game with a 13-3 run to have a one point victory.
Southside Flyers celebrating following their two point victory against Perth Lynx at the State Basketball Centre on 22 November 2023
Southside Flyers 17 17 30 30 94
Defeated 1 2 3 4 Final
Perth Lynx 32 22 17 21 92
22 November 2023 at the State Basketball Centre
Townsville Fire convincingly win two road games
Across their Round 4 road double seven Townsville players played at least 18 minutes in each game – starters StephReid, Sami Whitcomb, Alice Kunek, Mikaela Ruef and Zitina Aokuso along with Cassandra Brown and Courtney Woods off the bench. In their first game of the round against Adelaide on Thursday 23 November at Adelaide 36ers Arena Townsville led 18-14 with three minutes and 30 seconds remaining in the first term. In the next four minutes and 50 seconds the Fire had four different scorers and went on a game breaking 11-0 run to open up a 15 point lead 29-14.
Townsville maintained a double figure margin for the rest of the game and recorded a convincing 21 point victory, 74-53. Townsville’s seven core players all scored at least seven points led by forward Alice Kunek with 19. Ruef played a brilliant all-round game to score 10 points shooting at 66.7% from the field, took a team-high 13 rebounds, made a game-high six assists and an equal game-high three steals to be named the WNBL’s Player of the Game and earnt selection in the Team of the Round.
Adelaide American import Jocelyn Willoughby shot at 50% from the field and made a game-high four three-pointers from nine attempts at an accuracy of 44.4% to score a game-high 20 points. Brianna Turner took a game-high 15 rebounds and leads the WNBL with 16.8 rebounds per game.
In ESPN’s Round 5 game of the week tonight Townsville and Adelaide meet again with the Fire hosting at Townsville Entertainment Centre.
Adelaide Lightning 14 11 17 9 51
lost to 1 2 3 4 Final
Townsville Fire 27 11 22 14 74
23 November 2023 at Adelaide 36ers Arena
Two days later Townsville played the second game of their road double against Perth Lynx at Bendat Basketball Centre on Saturday 25 November. Perth regained Alex Ciabattoni and Ashlee Hannan for the home game after the duo both missed the road game against Southside due to COVID. The teams both shot at more than 50% from the field in the first half and Perth held a narrow advantage 49-45 at the main break.
Townsville controlled the start of the third quarter to go on a 17-5 run against Perth and in the process turned a four point deficit into an eight point lead. The Fire further tightened their grip on the game by going on another 11-0 run comprised of a Woods three-pointer, two Ruef three-pointers and a Brown lay-up to extend the lead to 19 points, 73-54 with a minute remaining in the third quarter. The Fire went on to record a convincing 16 point victory on the road 92-76.
During the third quarter Perth struggled from the field, having an accuracy of 17.6%. Atwell made a game-high four three-pointers from seven attempts at an accuracy of 57.1% and scored a game-high 25 points. Potter shot the ball proficiently to make seven of 10 field goal attempts at an accuracy of 70% and scored 18 points. Hannan made two free throws to score her first WNBL points. Perth’s bench was outscored 9-28 with Sixth woman Clinch Hoycard being the major contributor with six points. Maley took a team-high 10 rebounds and McDonald made a team-high seven assists.
Again Townsville had an even spread of contributors with seven players scoring at least nine points, led by front court duo Aokuso (18) and Brown (16). Townsville were extremely effective from long range to make 13 of 25 three-pointers at an accuracy of 52%. Seven Townsville players made at least one three-pointer, led by Brown with three from three and Kunek with three from five at 60%. Whitcomb made a game-high eight assists and Aokuso and Ruef each took eight rebounds.
Perth Lynx 23 26 10 17 76
lost to 1 2 3 4 Final
Townsville Fire 22 23 28 19 92
25 November 2023 at Bendat Basketball Centre
Bendigo Spirit defeat Sydney to record their first win of the season
Bendigo Spirit entered their home game at Red Energy Arena on Saturday night against Sydney Flames on a 10 game losing streak, having lost their last six games of 2022/23 and their first four games of 2023/24. Raising the degree of difficulty against the Flames, Bendigo were without captain Kelsey Griffin who had scored a game-high 33 points in her first game of the season against Melbourne in Round 3. Australian Opals captain Tess Madgen played her first game for Sydney, starting for the Flames after missing the first three rounds due to a knee injury.
Very little separated the two sides in the first quarter with Sydney having the edge over Bendigo 18-17. Mid-way through the third quarter Sydney guard Paige Bradley made her third three-pointer of the game, on the Flames next possession McSpadden made a lay-up to conclude a Flames 19-5 run. Sydney led by 15 points, 37-22 with four minutes and 54 seconds remaining in the second quarter. The Spirit went on a 15-9 run for the remainder of the second quarter to reduce the margin to a more manageable nine points 37-46 at the main break.
Vanessa Panousis shooting a three-pointer for Sydney Flames against Bendigo Spirit on 25 November 2023 at Red Energy Arena
In a blistering three minutes of basketball from four minutes and 30 seconds remaining in the third quarter until one minute and 30 seconds remaining in the term Froling scored 10 points to drive a Spirit 10-4 run by the Spirit to gain the ascendancy to lead by five points 60-55. Samuels then scored one of her three three-pointers for the game to extend Bendigo’s lead to eight points. Bendigo dominated in the second half to outscore Sydney 45 points to 20 to turn a 9 point half-time deficit into a 16 point victory, 82-66.
Alicia Froling shooting a free throw for Bendigo Spirit against Sydney Flames on 25 November 2023 at Red Energy Arena
In the first quarter Cayla George broke Rachael Sporn’s record for most career rebounds in the WNBL, overtaking Sporn’s tally of 3,229 rebounds. George finished the game with a team-high 14 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Sydney struggled from the field after the main break, having a field goal accuracy of 14.3% in the third quarter and 20.0% in the final term. Bradley and Emma Clarke each scored 11 points. In her return from a knee injury Madgen scored seven points, took six rebounds and made an equal team-high three assists.
Three Bendigo players each scored an equal game-high 17 points, starter Ally Wilson along with frontcourt duo Casey Samuels and Alicia Froling off the bench. Samuels and Froling along with point guard Kelly Wilson were Bendigo’s equal highest rebounders with seven each. Bendigo shot the ball more accurately, having a field goal accuracy of 41% to Sydney’s 30% and the Spirit won the assist count 17-11. The Spirit ended their 10 game losing streak in emphatic fashion and had two reasons to celebrate with the game being Kennedy Kereama’s 100th game as a WNBL Head Coach.
Bendigo Spirit players celebrating after defeating Sydney Flames on 25 November 2023 at Red Energy Arena
Bendigo Spirit 17 20 28 17 82
Defeated 1 2 3 4 Final
Sydney Flames 18 28 9 11 66
25 November 2023 at Red Energy Arena
Melbourne Boomers win in overtime against the UC Capitals
In the final game of Round 4 on Sunday 26 November the Melbourne Boomers hosted a game at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium in Traralgon for the third consecutive season. The UC Capitals were the Boomers opponent for the second season in a row at the venue. 21 year old Caps co-captain Jade Melbourne grew up in Traralgon. The Boomers entered the game on top of the ladder with four wins whilst the Capitals had lost their first four games of the season.
The UC Capitals got out of the blocks well to score the first three baskets of the game, a lay-up for co-captain Alex Sharp, followed by a driving lay up by Jade Melbourne and an Alex Fowler lay up to lead 6-0 with eight minutes and 15 seconds left in the first term. The Capitals took it up to the Boomers in the first stanza to lead 20-16 at quarter time. It was the fourth time in five games this season that the Boomers trailed at quarter time.
Alex Fowler playing for UC Capitals against Melbourne Boomers on 26 November 2023 at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium
With seven minutes and 30 seconds left in the second quarter the Boomers trailed 20-21. For the remainder of the quarter each team had a front court player that was their standout contributor on offense. Alex Fowler scored nine points for the UC Caps including a three-pointer. Boomers import Naz Hillmon made an impact in the paint to score 12 points. Boomers guard Aimie Rocci beat the buzzer to make a lay-up at the end of the second quarter to give Melbourne a one point lead, 39-38.
In the first six minutes and eight seconds of the third quarter the Boomers went on a 15-3 run with front court dup Hillmon and Froling contributing nine and six points respectively to open up a 13 point Melbourne lead 54-41. The UC Capitals responded strongly to go on a 12-2 run of their own including three-pointers to Shakera Reilly, Melbourne and Fowler to reduce the deficit to three points 53-56 at three quarter time.
In the opening minute of the third quarter Nicole Munger made a three-pointer and Fowler made a lay-up to extend the Caps run to 17-2, giving them a 58-56 lead. After an Okoye three pointer the Caps led 69-61 with four minutes and 25 seconds left in the fourth term. The Boomers struck back with a 10-2 run and a Hillmon hook shot tied the scores at 71 apiece with one minute and six seconds remaining. In her home town Jade Melbourne made a three on the next possession to give the Caps a 74-71 lead. After a Boomers time out Jordin Canada answered with a three-pointer of her own to level the scores 74 all. Melbourne made two free throws with 30 second left to give the Caps a two point lead. Froling rebounded a Jordin Canada jump shot and made a lay-up to tie the scores with 0.9 seconds left. After a Capitals time out Melbourne inbounded the ball to Sharp in the key who’s quick shot missed, sending the game to overtime.
Jade Melbourne making a three-pointer for UC Capitals against Melbourne Boomers with 57 seconds left in the fourth quarter on 26 November 2023 at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium
Jordin Canada making a three-pointer for Melbourne Boomers against the UC Capitals with 42 seconds left in the fourth quarter on 26 November 2023 at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium
In overtime the Boomers outscored the Capitals 11-5 to record an 87-81 point victory. Fittingly it was Hillmon who book-ended overtime making a lay up for the opening score of the period and scored the final points of the game with two free throws. By the end of the game five of the 10 starters had fouled out – Okoye, Melbourne and Munger for the Caps along with Froling and Blicavs for the Boomers. The thrilling contest demonstrated how little separates the teams in the WNBL with the Caps falling just short of recording their first win and inflicting the Boomers first defeat.
Free throw inaccuracy proved critical for the Capitals, making just 11 of 23 attempts at an accuracy of 47.8%. Jade Melbourne (24 points), Alex Fowler (20) and Alex Sharp (20) contributed 64 of the UC Capitals 81 points. Fowler shot the ball at 72.7% from the field, Sharp took an equal game-high 14 rebounds and Melbourne made a team-high seven assists.
Three Boomers scored in double figures – Hillmon (33 points), Froling (17) and Canada (16). Hillmon shot at 65% from the field, took 13 rebounds and made four assists to be named the WNBL’s Round 4 Player of the Round. Froling took an equal game-high 14 rebounds comprised of seven offensive and seven defensive and joined Hillmon in the Team of the Week. Canada made a game-high nine assists, and took five rebounds. With the victory the Boomers extended their winning streak to five games to commence the season. It is the first time that the Boomers have won their first five games of the season since 2009/10 when they were known as Bulleen. Whilst Melbourne are getting the victories they are being tested, the overtime win against the Caps was the Boomers third victory this season after trailing at some point in the last five minutes of the fourth quarter. Melbourne had also trailed late in a Round 1 road game against Adelaide and a Round 2 home game against Bendigo.
Melbourne Boomers starters in a team huddle during the game against the UC Capitals on 26 November 2023 at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium
The game on Sunday between Melbourne and the UC Capitals was the third time that the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium has hosted a WNBL game, amazingly it was the second time that a game at the venue went to overtime. The first WNBL game at GRISS on 6 February 2022 between Melbourne Boomers and Perth Lynx was tied at 65 points apiece at the end of regulation. In overtime the Lynx outscored the Bomers 11-6 to record a 76-71 victory.
Melbourne Boomers 16 23 17 20 11 87
Defeated 1 2 3 4 OT Final
UC Capitals 20 18 15 23 5 81
26 November 2023 at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium
Cayla George breaks the WNBL’s All-time career rebounding record
Sydney Flames power forward/centre Cayla George entered the Round 4 road game against Bendigo with 3,225 career rebounds, needing five rebounds to overtake Rachael Sporn’s tally of 3,229 rebounds and break the record for most career rebounds in the WNBL. With her fifth rebound of the first quarter George increased her rebounds tally to 3,230, breaking Sporn’s record. George finished Sydney’s game against Bendigo with a double-double comprised of 14 points and 13 rebounds. Cayla’s tally of 3,238 rebounds is comprised of 2,520 defensive rebounds and 718 offensive rebounds. Earlier this season, her first with the Flames George became the first player of All-Time to take 2,500 defensive rebounds in the WNBL.
Cayla George shooting a free throw for Sydney Flames against Bendigo Spirit on 25 November 2023 at Red Energy Arena
From her second WNBL season in 2006/07 to her 15th WNBL season in 2022/23 George has been incredibly consistent to average more than 8.0 rebounds per game in each season to rank in the league’s top six for rebounds per game in all 14 seasons during this period. In 2023/24 George has played all five games for Sydney and is averaging 8.6 rebounds per game – ranked sixth in the league. Cayla has led the WNBL for rebounds per game in three seasons – 2010/11, 2015/16 and 2022/23.
Playing for the Melbourne Boomers in 2022/23 George averaged 18.5 points (ranked 2nd in the WNBL), 11.3 rebounds (1st), 4.4 assists (10th), 1.7 steals (equal 9th), 1.1 blocked shots (3rd), and 36.9 minutes (1st) per game. George was recognised for her exceptional 2022/23 season by winning the Suzy Batkovic Medal as league MVP, was selected in the All-WNBL First Team and was a joint winner along with Tiffany Mitchell of the Michele Timms medal for being the Boomers MVP. George is one of only two players along with Steph Talbot that has earnt all WNBL selection in each of the previous four seasons from 2019/20 to 2022/23.
Cayla George taking a rebound for Melbourne Boomers in the fourth quarter against Adelaide Lightning at the State Basketball Centre on 22 December 2022
After breaking the WNBL’s All-Time rebounding record in Sydney’s Round 4 road game against Bendigo George commented “Reflecting is something I don’t do very often because as athletes we are always just onto the next thing. But my teammates after the game celebrated me with a lot of genuine love and reminded me of how great the accomplishment is. Rebounding is an effort thing, so going into games my goals would always be rebound-focused as that allowed me to be in the best frame of mind before I step onto the pine. I’m proud of myself for being in this position and am extremely blessed to have played with and against some incredible players and humans who, fortunately for me, haven’t shot at 100 per cent.”1
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On the eve of the 2023/24 season commencing Milestones and Misses published a Comprehensive guide to player movement and main rosters for the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season. The comprehensive guide provides details on the player movement and main rosters from a league wide perspective and then looks at these two aspects for each of the eight WNBL clubs. The club section includes player profiles on every player on a main roster as at 30 October 2023. A profile on each club’s Head Coach is also included. A link is below:
Round 4 Team of the Round
All five players selected in the WNBL’s Team of the Round for Round 4 were selected in the TOTW for the first time of the season and there was a strong front court flavour. Melbourne Boomers duo Naz Hillmon and Keely Froling were joined in the team by Townsville Fire’s Mikaela Ruef, Bendigo Spirit’s Casey Samuels and the Southside Flyers Lauren Jackson. Hilmon was named the Round 4 Player of the Round, becoming the second Boomer to be named the POTW this season, joining fellow American import Jordin Canada who was named the Round 1 Player of the Round.
Naz Hillmon – Melbourne Boomers
In her first WNBL season Naz Hillmon was exceptional in the Melbourne Boomers Round 4 home game against the UC Capitals, finishing with a game-high 33 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and an equal team-high two steals. Highlighting her versatile all-round game Hillmon ranked second for the Boomers in rebounds (behind Froling) and assists (behind Canada).
In the final seven minutes and 20 seconds of the second quarter Hillmon scored 12 points to keep the Boomers within striking distance. During this time Hillmon made three lay-ups, two hook shots and two free throws. Hillmon added another 11 points in the third quarter to play a critical role in the Boomers gaining the ascendancy.
Naz Hillmon about to score a field goal for Melbourne Boomers against the UC Capitals on 26 November 2023 at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium
Hillmon’s tally of 23 points across the second and third quarters was critical in the Boomers outscoring the UC Capitals 40-33 during these two periods. Only on other player Caps point guard Melbourne with 24 points scored more than 23 points for the game which highlights how dominant Hillmon was in the middle of the game.
After Melbourne trailed the UC Capitals 67-71 with two minutes and 50 seconds left in the fourth quarter it was Hillmon who scored the next four points of the game comprised of two free throws and a hook shot to tie the scores at 71 apiece with one minute and six seconds left in the fourth term. In the opening possession of overtime Hillmon made a lay-up to give the Boomers a two point lead. With 24 seconds remaining in overtime Hillmon made two free throws to have the final scored of the game, extending Melbourne’s lead to six points, 87-81.
Naz Hillmon shooting a free throw for Melbourne Boomers against the UC Capitals on 26 November 2023 at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium
Hillmon shot the ball efficiently to make 13 of 20 field goal attempts at an accuracy of 65%. Hillmon earned her first Team of the Round selection and was named the Player of The Week. In 2023/24 Hillmon is averaging 15.0 points (ranked 10th in the WNBL) and 8.4 rebounds per game (7th).
During a post game with WNBL Media Hillmon commented on the Boomers “I think we are really gelling and we are getting better on the offensive end, trying to figure out what plays work best for us. One of our biggest strengths is if something is not working then we turn the page and we do something different but if it is working we continue to go at it. Just finding what those plays are, what those defensive schemes are and then running with it.”
Mikaela Ruef – Townsville Fire
In Townsville’s 74-51 road victory against Adelaide Lightning power forward/centre Mikaela Ruef scored 10 points and took a team-high 13 rebounds to be the only player that recorded a double-double in the game. Ruef also made a significant impact in other facets of the game, making a game-high six assists, an equal game-high three steals and performed her role defensively to help the Fire restrict the Lightning to 51 points for the game. Ruef shot the ball proficiently to make four of six field goal attempts at an accuracy of 66.7% and two of four three-pointers at 50%.
Following Townsville’s win against Adelaide Ruef was asked during the post-game press conference “Mikaela, a real all-round performance today, what do you really put that down to, you were just trying to stuff the stat sheet it seemed there for a while?” Ruef responded “I try to do what our team needs and usually that is rebounding. I like to think that I am a decent passer so I was doing that and then my shots were falling tonight which is always nice but Shannon says that’s a bonus, it’s the other stuff that I try to do really, really well and then if I score that is always good.”
Against Perth in Townsville’s second game of the road double Ruef scored 12 points, took an equal team-high eight rebounds, made two assists and one steal. Ruef made four of six field goal attempts at an accuracy of 66.7% and two of four three-pointers at 50% in the Fire’s 92-76 victory.
Mikaela Ruef taking a rebound for JCU Townsville Fire in game 2 of the 2022/23 WNBL Grand Final at the State Basketball Centre on 22 March
In 2023/24 Ruef is playing her seventh WNBL season overall and second consecutive season for JCU Townsville Fire. Throughout her WNBL career 190 centimetre tall Ruef has performed exceptionally on the boards and in all six seasons has ranked in the WNBL’s top 15 for rebounds per game among players that played at least five games for the season. Four times Ruef has ranked in the league’s top six in this category which includes leading the WNBL with 11.0 rebounds per game in 2016/17. In her 123 game WNBL career Ruef has taken 1,166 rebounds at an average of 9.48 rebounds per game – ranked fifth on the WNBL’s All-Time list for rebounds per game.
Mikaela Ruef taking a rebound for JCU Townsville Fire in game 2 of the 2022/23 WNBL Grand Final at the State Basketball Centre on 22 March
Lauren Jackson – Southside Flyers
After the Flyers trailing by 20 points at half-time Jackson scored the first basket of the second half with a turn around jump shot seven seconds into the third term. One minute and 15 seconds later Jackson made a lay-up to score the Flyers second field goal of the third quarter.
Lauren Jackson shooting a jump shot for Southside Flyers against Perth Lynx at the State Basketball Centre on 22 November 2023
Mid-way through the final quarter Jackson made two free throws to reduce Perth’s lead to four points. With three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter Southside trailed Perth by five points, 82-87. In the next 70 seconds Jackson had some critical involvements to help the Flyers reduce the margin to two points. Jackson made a steal and provided an assist to Russell and then on Southside’s next possession made a three-pointer.
Lauren Jackson about to make a three-pointer for Southside Flyers against Perth Lynx in the fourth quarter at the State Basketball Centre on 22 November 2023
For Southside against Perth Jackson scored 15 points and took a team-high nine rebounds to set season-highs in both categories, made three assists and two steals playing 23 minutes and 58 seconds court-time. Jackson shot the ball efficiently to make six of 11 field goal attempts at an accuracy of 54.5% and made both free throws.
Jackson is Australia’s greatest ever basketball player and achieved just everything you could possibly dream of in the WNBL, WNBA and with the Australian Opals. Knee injuries forced Jackson’s retirement on 31 March 2016. Just over six years later Jackson made her return as a basketball player with the Albury Wodonga Bandits in NBL1 East. The Bandits won the NBL1 East Grand Final and Jackson won the league’s regular season Most Valuable Player Award.
In 2022/23 Jackson made her WNBL return with the Southside Flyers and started all 14 games that she played. In addition to Jackson’s on-court performances for the Southside Flyers in the 2022/23 Cygnett WNBL season her return to the league also generated more mainstream media coverage and was a huge hit with fans post-game. In the opening minute of Southside Flyers home game at John Cain Arena on 4 February 2023 against Sydney Flames Jackson suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. After missing the 2023 NBL1 East season due to injury Jackson has signed with the Albury Wodonga Bandits for 2024. Sam McDonald has been promoted to Albury’s Head Coach for 2024, having been an Assistant Coach for the 2022 NBL1 East championship winning season and the 2023 season.
Jackson has won the WNBL’s Grand Final MVP Award four times which is the league’s All-time record and has won the WNBL’s regular season MVP Award four times – ranked second on the All-time list behind Suzy Batkovic (who the medal is now named after) with six. Jackson has played 191 WNBL games and ranks first on the WNBL’s All-Time list with 21.1 points per game and second with 10.9 rebounds per game.
Casey Samuels – Bendigo Spirit
After commencing the game on the bench guard/forward Casey Samuels made a massive impact in Bendigo’s home victory against Sydney to earn selection in the team of the week. Samuels was substituted into the game with three minutes and 58 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Samuels made a lay up in the first quarter and followed up with eight points in the second quarter including two three-pointers, to hep the Spirit remain within striking distance, trailing by nine points at half-time.
Casey Samuels playing for Bendigo Spirit against Sydney Flames on 25 November 2023 at Red Energy Arena
Samuels added seven points to her tally in the second half to finish the game with an equal game-high 17 points and an equal team-high seven rebounds to set season-highs in both category’s playing 24 minutes and 57 seconds court-time. Samuels shot the ball efficiently to have a field goal accuracy of 60%, made three of six three-pointers at 50% and made both free throws.
Casey Samuels making a free throw for Bendigo Spirit against Sydney Flames on 25 November 2023 at Red Energy Arena
2023/24 is the ninth season of Samuels WNBL career and first season with Bendigo. Samuels has played 142 WNBL games and is on track to reach 150 games later this season.
Keely Froling – Melbourne Boomers
Melbourne Boomers co-captain Keely Froling scored 17 points and took an equal game-high 14 rebounds comprised of seven offensive and seven defensive against the UC Capitals to register a double-double and joined Boomers teammate and fellow front court player Naz Hillmon in the Team of the Week. Froling shot the ball proficiently to make seven of 14 field goal attempts at an accuracy of 50% and made her only three-pointer.
Keely Froling playing for Melbourne Boomers against the UC Capitals on 26 November 2023 at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium
In the middle of the third quarter against the UC Caps Froling scored six consecutive points in the game comprised of two free throws, a lay up and a driving lay up. With the stakes at their highest Froling came up with a massive play in the fourth quarter to rebound a Jordin Canada jump shot and made a lay-up to tie the scores with 0.9 seconds left. Froling made a jump shot with four minutes and 11 seconds left in overtime to extend the Boomers lead to four points 80-76.
Keely Froling and Melbourne Boomers teammates during the pre-game introductions for the game against the UC Capitals on 26 November 2023 at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium26 November 2023 at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium
During 2022/23 Froling averaged 18.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game to rank in the WNBL’s top five in both categories among players that played at least five games. Froling is averaging 9.0 rebounds per game in 2023/24, ranked sixth in the league. Froling is in her third consecutive season as a captain of a WNBL club having been a co-captain of Sydney in 2021/22 before being the Flames sole captain in 2022/23. In her first season at the Boomers Froling is a co-captain along with Kristy Wallace.
Article and photographs by Dean Andrews
Twitter – @DeanAndrews7777
References
1 https://wnbl.basketball/sydneyflames/news/george-reflects-on-breaking-wnbls-all-time-rebound-record/
Milestones and misses 