The WNBL Podcast Snack with Alison Schwagmeyer-Belger
WHEN Perth Lynx star Alison Schwagmeyer-Belger takes to the court she’s not alone.
The 29-year-guard opened up on the Chemist Warehouse WNBL Show about the death of her older sister in a crash and how she honours her each and every time she plays.
“My sister was a year older than me and she passed away four years ago. Her and I were best friends, she played basketball as well, she was #32 and I was #33 and we were known as the Schwag sisters,’’ she said.
“We were close in everything in our life so just being able to wear #32 on my chest and on my back each and every game, I put my jersey on and it just reminds me of Angie and lets me know that she’s with me wherever I go.
“It helps me with those memories and that’s why I wanted to hyphenate my last name (when I got married this year) as well because it makes me feel a bit closer to her, having her name and number on my jersey every time I play.
“I’m a Christian so I believe god is with me and Angie is another one of my angles, with me and beside me on the court. It’s such a blessing to have those memories growing up together playing basketball and the fact that I get to play basketball, I can carry that tradition with me.
“She was always my number one fan, she thought I was the best player in the world. Being able to carry that in my heart, knowing I had that belief from her in me, that keeps pushing me further and further every day.”
Schwagmeyer-Belger earned selection in the Round 2 Team of the Week off the back of a stunning display in Perth’s overtime defeat to the Southside Flyers where she hit combined 34 points with 12 rebounds and three assists then backed up against Bendigo (10 points, nine rebounds and five assists) on Sunday.
She’s in the shape of her life after a gruelling pre-season where she shed 10 kilograms.
“That was a big part of my plans for the off season, to get as lean and fit as possible,’’ she says.
“Being in Andy Stewart and the Perth Lynx’s system we like to run and gun and go and go and go and I was a bit realistic with myself last season and knew there were times on the court where I maybe had to take a break or a possession off because I was tired.
“I just wanted to make sure I was fit as possible so when I’m on the court I don’t have to take any breaks or any possessions off, it’s really helped me out so much with my rebounding.”
The Lynx are back on their home floor this Saturday hosting Adelaide Lighting in Round 3 of the Chemist Warehouse WNBL.
“It’s going to be a tough-fought game. We’re going to go back over some film and bring out best product on Saturday,’’ Schwagmeyer-Belger said.
“We’re excited about that and we’ll have Ariel (Atkins) as well.”
Listen to Alison Schwagmeyer-Belger on The Chemist Warehouse WNBL Show here.
The Chemist Warehouse WNBL Show drops every Wednesday during the #WNBL20 season.