Winter Update| Whittle stars for Spectres

JCU Townsville Fire recruit Marena Whittle has flirted with a triple-double at the weekend to tip-off our winter update. The Nunawading captain, who continues to go from strength-to-strength in the SEABL competition, led the Spectres to an 94-86 victory over Sandringham after top-scoring with 25 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, two steals and a block. Click here to become a member of the JCU Townsville Fire. The Spectres are now within striking distance of a top-four spot in the East, but remain two positions behind Zitina Aokuso’s Centre of Excellence team, which enjoyed a bye. In the South, Kelly Wilson continued her impressive comeback at Bendigo as she led the Lady Braves to an 84-61 victory over Frankston. Having made a mid-season return, Wilson again looked a class above as she posted 16 points and seven assists in 28 minutes of court time. A monstrous double-double from Suzy Batkovic led Newcastle to a narrow 71-64 victory over Illawarra in the Waratah League. The five-time WNBL MVP finished with 39 points, 19 rebounds and six blocks in a commanding performance for her junior club. In the QBL, Darcee Garbin enhanced her MVP chances as she led the Townsville Flames to a 98-69 win over Gold Coast. Playing limited minutes with the game comfortably in control, Garbin still registered 18 points, four rebounds and three assists, while development player Haylee Andrews top-scored with 20 points and four dimes. Having spent the best part of a month on the sidelines with a back injury, two-time WNBL championship winner Mia Murray posted five points, four rebounds and three assists. Down the Bruce Highway, Micaela Cocks, fresh off winning selection in New Zealand’s Asia Cup squad, guided Mackay to a 94-82 victory over Port City Power. https://twitter.com/TownsvilleFire/status/878109795596750848 Down by as many as 18 during the game, the Meteorettes made an impressive comeback as Cocks posted 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists. In the WNBA, Cayla George pulled down three boards in Phoenix’s 85-82 win over Seattle, while Sydney Wiese’s LA Sparks posted an 84-73 win over Indiana.