THE WRAP- ROUND 10
Just when we think we’ve got this season worked out, the Cygnett WNBL throws a curveball with some huge upset wins! Round 10 had us on the edge of our seats.
Caps get upset of the season
The 12-game losing streak finally came to an end for the UC Capitals, getting their first win in the books with an upset over Bendigo! Jade Melbourne (18 points, 11 assists), Shaneice Swain (22 points) and Rae Burrel (24 points) were outstanding for the Caps. Nicole Munger also finished on a double-double of 12 points, 10 rebounds. It was the full team effort Kristin Veal was searching for, who now has her first win as a WNBL Head Coach. To get the W in front of a pumping home crowd was icing on the cake!
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Anneli Maley was the stand-out once again for Bendigo despite the loss, putting up a massive 30 points as well as 12 rebounds.
Flames get epic comeback win
The second upset of the round came from the Flames’ win on the road over Adelaide. Sydney trailed almost the whole game, before turning on the jets in the fourth term to get the job done by four points. Jocelyn Willoughby fired for the Flames, finishing on 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Tiana Mangakahia ignited the Flames in the fourth with some tough buckets to seal the victory.
Perth steal the show over Flyers
The third upset of the round went to the Lynx, who are breathing down the necks of the top four and Townsville. It was a fantastic battle to watch between Perth and Southside, but it was a captain’s game from Sami Whitcomb, who combined with Amy Atwell to hammer home nine triples between them and finished on 33 and 25 points respectively.
The Cayla George show
Cayla George put on a clinic for the Traralgon crowd against the UC Capitals. The superstar had a 20 point, 10 rebound double-double before half time! George didn’t stop there, continuing her dominance for the game and finishing on 37 points, 17 rebounds.
McKay shoots at 100 per cent
Megan McKay did not miss in Bendigo’s win over Adelaide. The centre shot eight from eight field goals, finishing on 17 points at 100 per cent for the game and was amongst the best for the Spirit.
Whittle exceptional in Pride Round
Marena Whittle finished with two fantastic performances under her belt in the Lightning’s Pride Round. Whittle stacked the stats sheet against Sydney with a 19 point, 10 rebound double-double. Then backing it up again with another double-double against Bendigo of 18 points 10 rebounds.
WNBL players picked in Opals squad
Congratulations to all our WNBL stars who have been selected for the extended Opals squad for 2023!
WNBL players selected in the Opals squad:
Amy Atwell (PER)
Zitina Aokuso (TSV)
Chloe Bibby (PER)
Sara Blicavs (STH)
Isobel Borlase (ADL)
Keely Froling (SYD)
Cayla George (MEL)
Shyla Heal (SYD)
Tess Madgen (MEL)
Anneli Maley (BEN)
Tiana Mangakahia (SYD)
Jade Melbourne (UCC)
Lauren Nicholson (TSV)
Nyadiew Puoch (STH)
Steph Reid (TSV)
Maddy Rocci (STH)
Lauren Scherf (PER)
Shaneice Swain (UCC)
Steph Talbot (ADL)
Kristy Wallace (MEL)
Sami Whitcomb (PER)
See the full squad here.
Player of the Round
Sami Whitcomb (PER) – 33pts, 3rebs, 4ast vs Southside
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Team of the Week
Rae Burrell (UCC) – 23.0ppg, 4.0rpg vs BEN/MEL
Cayla George (MEL) – 37pts, 17rebs vs UCC
Sami Whitcomb (PER) – 33pts, 4ast vs STH
Mikaela Ruef (TSV) – 26pts, 12rebs vs SYD
Anneli Maley (BEN) – 21.5ppg, 13.5rpg vs ADL/UCC
IMPORTANT STUFF