Flyers Round 4 Wrap-Up
Undefeated!
The Jayco Southside Flyers remain unbeaten in the Chemist Warehouse WNBL after a pair of stirring victories just over 24 hours apart.
A fighting win came over the Bendigo Spirit, at home and on Fox Sports, on Sunday afternoon then on Cup Eve the Flyers crossed to the State Basketball Centre where they led fellow unbeaten side Melbourne Boomers from start to finish.
SOUTHSIDE FLYERS VS. BENDIGO SPIRIT RECAP
Southside kept the ball rolling at Dandenong Stadium, defeating the Bendigo Spirit for the second week in a row on Sunday.
Rebecca Cole (23) and Sara Blicavs (21) combined for 44-points between them and proved too much for the Spirit to stop.
It was the second match-up between the two sides in as many games as the Flyers were looking to repeat its defeat of the Spirit from days before, whilst Bendigo was hoping to bounce back with a W.
A win for Southside meant a perfect 5-0 record before its ‘Cup Eve’ match-up against the Melbourne Boomers, who like the Flyers, were undefeated to start the season.
Bendigo on the other hand, after a string of disappointing outings, were desperate to get its season back on track and find some consistency.
The local rivalry made for an electric atmosphere as fans from both sides packed the house for Southside’s first national broadcast game on Fox Sports.
“I love the home crowd, it feeds me and other people feed off it too and I think that we’re all just thankful…we have all this amazing support,” Rebecca Cole said post-match.
“We just want to keep inspiring our fans.”
Southside got off to a strong start behind Rebecca Cole and Leilani Mitchell, but Kelly Wilson kept Bendigo alive, forcing turnovers and finishing under the rim up the other end.
The Flyers got away to an 8-point lead early in the second after the Spirit couldn’t keep up with them in transition. The versatility of Southside’s ball movement allowed them to cut Bendigo up on the fast break.
Once again, Bendigo showed plenty of spirit and fought all the way back to take the lead towards the end of the first half. However, back to back threes from Jenna O’Hea allowed the Flyers to pull ahead once again, much to the crowd’s excitement.
It was Southside with a 7-point advantage at the end of the first half.
The third term was all about Bendigo, with great team play and tough defence allowed them to close the margin to only 2-points at the end of the third and put the pressure on Southside.
However, under pressure is when the Flyers really soar and their dynamic starting five tore the game apart for all ten minutes in the fourth, blowing the lead out to a 13-point win.
SOUTHSIDE FLYERS VS. MELBOURNE BOOMERS RECAP
That victory over Bendigo would setup a huge battle of the WNBL’s undefeated teams in what was already a massive Flyers-Boomers rivalry clash.
A packed State Basketball Centre was primed and ready to cheer on their respective teams with a great showing by our Flyers Family.
That great showing by our fans was honoured by our Southside stars from the first tip off as we won the first three quarters of an entertaining game.
But Flyers fans were put on the edge of their seats late in this one as the Boomers made a late fourth-quarter charge. Melbourne managed to get within five points with 1:00 left to play and looked poised to push even closer after a missed Leilani Mitchell three, until Mercedes Russell snared a big offensive rebound to enable the Flyers to milk the clock and secure the victory.
Blicavs (16 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists) and Cole (14 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds) completed big weekends while the experience of Mitchell (13 points, 4 assists) and O’Hea (13 points, 3 rebounds) shone through. Off the bench, Aimie Clydesdale scored six points in addition to two rebounds and two assists.
Coach Cheryl Chambers said the Flyers talent and toughness was on display throughout a gruelling round.
“I think we’re really blessed because not only have we got players who are physically tough but they are mentally tough and that makes it a lot easier,’’ she said of the quick turnaround.
“We’re really loving it (as a group). There’s a few jokes going around and we know when to sit back and focus too, we’ve got a really good balance.
“If you had have had said we’d be 6-0 I’m not sure I’d believe you. It’s a bit of a dream start.”
The Flyers frenetic week continues on Thursday night when they are back on their home floor to host the UC Capitals.
NEXT FLYERS HOME GAME
When: Thursday 7 November @ 7:30pm
Tickets: Now available via Tixstar
Doors Open: 6:30pm
Where: Dandenong Stadium, 270 Stud Rd, Dandenong North
