The Week That Was – 13
A Tall Fern is Spirit bound, Bendigo is playing abroad and WNBL stars are shining for the Opals, this is The Week That Was.
SPIRIT STRIKE MCGOLDRICK
Fresh from New Zealand’s best-ever finish (4th) at the FIBA Asia Cup, Esra McGoldrick is headed to the WNBL.
The 23-year-old forward, who averaged 5.4 points and 4.6 rebounds for her nation at the Sydney tournament in July, will play for the Bendigo Spirit this WNBL season.
Spirit coach Kennedy Kereama says McGoldrick, who represented Casey Cavaliers in the recent NBL1 South season, will be a valuable addition to his roster.
“She’s exciting because she’s an incredible athlete. She’s 6’2”, long, can shoot the ball, handle the ball, get on the rim, defend, block shots and rebound.
“She can do absolutely everything and she’s not limited to the typical 6’2” prototype.”
BENDI-GO-ON TOUR
The Spirit are currently in Korea competing in the Park Shin-Ja Cup and on Thursday had an impressive 74-68 win over Our Bank.
Alicia Froling dominated with a 26-point-19-rebound double-double, newly-signed import Ruth David teamed 7 rebounds with her 20 points while Isabella Brancatisano scored 15 points and dished out 5 assists.
OPALS TAKE CHINA
The Opals are getting in some valuable international play during their five-game tour of China.
Australia is 1-2 heading into its final two games against the World No.2 this weekend in Yinchuan.
Coach Cheryl Chambers praised the leadership of Alice Kunek and the performances of Shyla Heal, Anneli Maley, Zitina Aokuso and Alex Sharp.
Read more here.
IN THE WNBA
Kristy Wallace, who returns to the Melbourne Boomers in #WNBL24, produced a WNBA career night against her former team Atlanta Dream this week when she scored 20 points including six triples in the 83-80 win.
While Ezi Magbegor registered her 10th double-double of the season when she teamed 15 points with 14 rebounds against Alanna Smith’s Chicago Sky.