But it did not stop there with Turner also managing four blocks showcasing her impressive ability to switch between attack and defence with ease. She can single handily change the outlook of a game while teammate Stephanie Talbot is no stranger to the big stage. 19 – Olivia Epoupa (UC) She averaged a team-high 8.8 rebounds, as well as 16.4 points, 3.1 assists and 1.8 steals in a really strong season where she was hard to beat as the side’s second oldest player – yet was still only 26-years-old. She said the culture built by the three remaining players from last season – Sami Whitcomb, Toni Farnworth and Nat Burton – had opened her eyes to what was possible. For the Lightning, Lauren Nicholson stepped up as one would expect from a player with her experience, finishing with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Stephanie Talbot (13 points, nine rebounds, six assists and three steals) was unsurprisingly Adelaide’s best, as Brianna Turner (11 points, nine rebounds, five blocks and two assists) was also strong. Given the turbulent year Aokuso has endured, Fire’s head coach Shannon Seebohm sees benefits to the experience. Lightning’s Brianna Turner starred in the clash with the American import doing all she could to keep side within reach of the Flyers. Report: http://dandenong.starcommunity.com.au/journal/2015-05-04/seminoles-her-style/, http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/3069369/rush-earns-first-win-of-the-season/?cs=63, http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/3072208/big-cash-wait/?cs=63, http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/3068125/kilsyths-superb-run-rolls-on/?cs=81, http://www.themercury.com.au/sport/local-sport/hobart-chargers-and-lady-chargers-switch-off-in-key-moments/story-fnj92b0f-1227349485290, http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/3062020/mansfield-up-to-new-level/?cs=88. My grandparents came to Australia with nothing and have provided my family with an incredible life. But four years into the Canberra Capitals Academy team and coach Greg Evans admits the foundations for the team are still being laid. With nothing separating both sides keen for a win, the Lightning stepped up in the crucial final quarter to win, 75-74 and finish at home on a high prior to finals. But despite the drama, Kunek was taken aback by the calm nature inside the locker room. The other spots were already locked in prior to the final round, with Southside Flyers earning the minor premiership and will face fourth placed Adelaide Lightning in the other semi-final. Rounding out the starting five, University of Canberra (UC) Capitals’ key scorer, Kia Nurse made the team once again with 28 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals to her name in Round 16. It’s fun. They claimed the minor premiership credit to their impressive season but it is fair to say that the Flyers will be disappointed they did not take home the silverware going down two and three points respectively in the grand final series against UC Capitals. Report, pics: *Hobart Mercury’s Simeon Thomas-Wilson reports on a tough weekend for the Chargers. “We were missing a couple of girls who couldn’t travel for the Saturday game - if we had one more player in the rotation I think we would have got that game. While Magbegor picked up a clear double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds, it was George’s almost triple-double of 24 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists, three steals and two blocks that was absolutely outstanding. Kunek has committed the most fouls at Perth this season, narrowly trails Whitcomb for the Lynx player who has been fouled the most and has been on the receiving end of almost the same number of charging fouls as the rest of the team. The 26-year-old joined French team, Lyon, in February after finishing her WNBL season with Melbourne. It was a thrilling game of basketball with both teams leaving nothing to chance. With the WNBL still months away, none are working harder than Aokuso to get their bodies to peak fitness in preparation for Round 1. DC Medal: 3 – Carley Ernst (BS), 2 – Christina Boag (TF), 1 – Tessa Lavey (BS), Southside Flyers (78) defeated Sydney Uni Flames (61). Southside made it nine from 10 away at home highlighting just how damaging they can be in any environment. She was a reliable scorer, but also a reliable shot blocker and showed why Seattle Storm snapped her up with the twelfth pick in the WNBA Draft last year. Despite only standing at 165cm Mitchell averaged 15.9 points per game along with a team-high 5.3 assists showcasing her ability to create opportunities to hit the scoreboard. The Southside Flyers had a point to prove- that they could knock off their rivals away from home and they proved that in style. “In that Ballarat game we were up six with three minutes to go then Ballarat wore us down,” Evans said. The Cobras’ Instagram page posted a picture of the happy family here. All in all, it was a comprehensive season for the Flyers who will be licking their lips ahead of the 2020/21 season if they can keep their list together and gain more support from their second tier players. 30 – Mercedes Russell (SF) Bendigo needed to win the last by 10 points in order to grab seventh spot on the table, and it did all it could in that quarter, piling on 24 points though it would not be enough, running out a comfortable 20-point winner but falling short of sentencing Townsville to the wooden spoon. 28 – If the game was to be replayed multiple times, there is every chance the Supercats end up the NBL1 inaugural winners, but for now they will use that motivation to burn deep and prepare to tackle 2021. The Capitals made a slow start to their offseason when organising and assembling the team which put the group behind others in the early rounds. Maddison Allen had 15 rebounds to go with four points and three blocks. Her grandparents moved to Australia from Croatia and she was raised to value hard work. Losses: 3 17 – F: Bridget Carleton (TF) – 16 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, 0 blocks, 66.7 FG%, NBL1 South Women’s team summary: Geelong Supercats, 2019/20 WNBL season review: Southside Flyers, WNBL Semi-final 2 review: Flyers snatch three point victory to move through to grand final, 2019/20 WNBL preview: Semi-finals – Flyers a win away from grand final as Lightning look to even series, WNBL Semi-final 1 review: Southside escapes slow start to run out three-point winners in Dandenong, southside flyers adelaide lightning semi finals, 2019/20 WNBL preview: Semi-finals – Southside Flyers looking to continue home dominance against Lightning, WNBL Round 16 review: Capitals secure second with final round win, Arguably the most depth of any side in the competition, Rebounds (ranked first with 31.7 def and 42.5 overall), Defensively sound (second in both blocks and steals, and least personal fouls), Free throws (71.1 per cent accuracy, ranked 13th in the competition). 29 – Despite being down on her usual output Mercedes Russell still made her presence felt with 15 points, four rebounds and three assists, while Sara Blicavs played a strong support role with her 12 points to get her side over the line and into the big dance. Meanwhile the Flames were unable to cause an upset, though they did have a promising final term, scoring 21 points to 11 to stop what looked like a complete annihilation brewing. Having represented Australia and played for several WNBL clubs, a beaming smile follows Kunek as she warmly greets the opponents she has built strong friendships with before games. The coaches just sat there and I had my head in my hands thinking ‘what have I got myself into?’,” Kunek recalled, “There were some deep seated issues with that team from earlier in the season. They were able to give valuable court time to some of their younger players, and gave Ringwood Hawks’ utility, Jacqueline Trotto a debut. Carley Ernst was simply sensational for the Spirit, scoring 26 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in an almost triple-double effort. Sydney Uni Flames (78) defeated Bendigo Spirit (68). They have found a way up either end of the court, while Melbourne’s Cayla George and Ezi Magbegor both fill out the center positions. While the pair have opposite semi-finals in a fortnight, the Capitals were able to hold firm against a side that started strongly, and hold them off by two points at the National Convention Centre. 7 – It would have been a disappointing finish to the 2019 season, but Geelong Supercats would have to look back and smile at what was a really impressive year on many fronts. The Lynx had high expectations at the start of the season, but slumped to 1-4 and pressure mounted. It was a complete performance from the travelling team with Rebecca Cole taking the reins and dominating the points scoring stats with 19 to her name along with 10 rebounds to record another double-double for the season. After all, Dandenong Rangers have fielded strong SEABL sides for years based on a similar format plus their accomplished junior program. A strong final quarter saw Sydney Uni Flames get the points in their final home game of the WNBL season, securing a 10-point victory over Bendigo Spirit. Curtin victim ‘shouldn’t have died for job he loved’, Wildcats coach’s hat in ring for Boomers top job, Lakers beat Heat to clinch 17th NBA title, Gleeson: Why I’m the right man for Boomers job, LeBron, Lakers smoke Heat to snare NBA title. For the Fire, Christina Boag had a memorable game to round out the season, picking up huge numbers of 22 points, 15 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. IN the pool of up and coming young talent rising through the WNBL ranks, Townsville Fire’s Zitina Aokuso sits at the top in terms of her dominance and ability to impose herself on the basketball court. The bench featured a number of players who have been in the team before, with Perth Lynx’s Ariel Atkins and Bendigo Spirit’s Tessa Lavey making up the two guards, while Southside Flyers’ Sara Blicavs and Sydney Uni’s Jessica Kuster slotting into the forward spots. (Melbourne’s) Jenna O’Hea is one of my best friends. Statistically speaking it is hard to separate the sides with accuracy sitting at a similar percentage for both sides but it was the Flyers ability to stand up under pressure that eventually got them over the line. They also had six players with four or more rebounds per game, and six players with at least a steal per game, showing just how easily they could win the ball back off their opposition and set up scoring opportunities. Import Brianna Turner fell just short of another double-double last game recording 11 points and nine rebounds but considering that was one of her quiet games could kick it up a whole other level in front of her home crowd. *Dandenong Rangers forward Jacinta Kennedy continues to burn with 31 points and eight rebounds in her club’s in over Geelong. F: Sara Blicavs (SF) – 18 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 0 blocks, 100.0 FG% “We have a good connection with the Capitals but our player turnover has been astronomical. DC Medal: 3 – Sara Blicavs (SF), 2 – Jessica Kuster (SU), 1 – Mercedes Russell (SF), Melbourne Boomers (104) defeated Perth Lynx (75). Report: http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/3072208/big-cash-wait/?cs=63, *Bendigo Advertiser’s Nathan Dole reports on the Braves game against Kilsyth with a picture gallery included. Those who were unlucky to miss out and were considered for a spot included UC Capitals’ Maddison Rocci and Kelsey Griffin, Bendigo Spirit’s Shyla Heal and Gabrielle Richards, Townsville Fire’s Darcee Garbin, and Perth Lynx’s Nadeen Payne.