Round 14 Preview: Flames v Flyers and Spirit
WNBL ROUND 14 PREVIEW: FLAMES V FLYERS, SPIRIT.
Coming off a massive win against the top of the ladder Lynx, the Brydens Sydney Uni Flames are on the road again in a Regional Victoria road trip.
The Flames will take on the Southside Flyers first on Thursday, March 10 at 7 pm and then the Bendigo Spirit on Saturday, March 12 at 5pm.
Both Shyla Heal’s and Funda Nakkasoglu’s playing status will be re-evaluated before the Flames leave for Melbourne. Heal missed the trip to Perth after an ankle injury in practice and Nakkasoglu suffered a broken nose in the last home game.
The Flames have played both the Flyers and the Spirit before, with our first win of the season coming against Bendigo.
SOUTHSIDE FLYERS
The Flames game against the Flyers was a heartbreaker at Qudos Bank Arena, the reigning champions escaping with a three-point win.
The story of that game was Nakkasoglu, who had a 17-point explosion that started a multiple-game hot streak for the star guard. Over a four-game stretch, Nakkasoglu averaged 14 points per game prior to her nose injury.
The Flyers are coming off a 42 point loss to the Canberra Capitals in Dandenong;. The Flyers will be highly motivated to not disappoint their home fans two games in a row.
Southside is not to be underestimated though, Jenna O’Hea, Rebecca Cole, Sara Blicavs and Maddi Rocci are all dangerous players on any given night. The Flames will have to be on their toes coming into this one.
The game again will come down to Keely Froling, who had a monster performance against the Lynx with 30 points and 21 rebounds. She has been a superstar this season and the Flyers will have to put her on the top of their scouting report.
BENDIGO SPIRIT
The Flames secured their first win of the season in their last match with Spirit.
It was a team effort, helped by some hot shooting from Lauren Mansfield who made seven three-pointers in the game. Opals star Shyla Heal had 22 points and Kalani Purcell’s defence was spectacular, she finished the game with seven steals.
The Spirit have won four of their past five games, knocking off the Melbourne Boomers, Townsville Fire and the Flyers twice.
Second in points per game and leading the league in rebounding is former Flame Anneli Maley. She has been Bendigo’s superstar this season and will be the primary focus on coach Shane Heal’s mind going into Saturday.
Megan McKay caused the Flames issues in the last game, she scored 21 points and disrupted the Flames’ offence significantly. While quiet in the game, Maddie Garrick will be a focus too.
Purcell will need to lockdown Maley and Froling will have to make McKay uncomfortable to make sure the Flames can keep up offensively with an undermanned roster.
The Flames will take on the Southside Flyers on Thursday, March 10 at 7pm. With the Bendigo Spirit following on Saturday, March 12 at 5pm.
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