Australiabasket.com All-Australian WNBL Awards 2014 - Mar 19, 2014
Australiabasket.com All-Australian WNBL 1st Team 2014
Harrower
Mitchell
O'Hea
Griffin
Batkovic-Brown
Finals MVP: Kelsey Griffin (188-F-87) of Bendigo S. Player of the Year: Suzy Batkovic-Brown (195-C-80) of Townsville F. Guard of the Year: Kristi Harrower (166-PG-75) of Bendigo S. Forward of the Year: Kelsey Griffin (188-F-87) of Bendigo S. Center of the Year: Suzy Batkovic-Brown (195-C-80) of Townsville F. Domestic Player of the Year: Suzy Batkovic-Brown (195-C-80) of Townsville F. Import Player of the Year: Kelsey Griffin (188-F-87) of Bendigo S. Defensive Player of the Year: Rebecca Allen (185-G-92) of Bulleen B. Coach of the Year: Bernie Harrower of Bendigo S.
Bendigo S. - Townsville F. 94-83 The Bendigo Spirit have won their second-straight WNBL championship beating the Townsville Fire 94-83 in Bendigo on Sunday. In front of a sellout crowd of 2500 the Spirit again bested the Fire, but not without being pushed to the limit, the home side leading by just one at the final change. An inspiring opening to the final term from Gabe Richards and Kelly Wilson helped the home side extend their lead to 10 points. From there Kristi Harrower (166-PG-75) took charge with four quick points in the final minutes to hold off the Fire. Spirit coach Bernie Harrower said the championship win was a relief as he truly expected the Fire to push them to the limit. "They played well and they certainly brought out the best in us - we had to play a sensational game to get the win today," he said. "That showed the quality of the game." Kelsey Griffin (188-F-87, college: Nebraska) was immense for the Spirit with a game-high 28 points and 15 rebounds, while Harrower was a force after half-time finishing with 22 points and nine assists in what may be her finale. "I said to myself if this is my last game then I'm going to play like it's my last game," she said. "That's what I did in my last Opals game and that's what I did today - I was glad I could get a few shots to fall. "If I was younger I would not even think about retiring but I am 39 and I do have to seriously think about family right now, I felt like this was my last game but then I play like that. "My husband has been so patient with me that I have to seriously consider it." Suzy Batkovic had 21 points and eight boards for the Fire and Mia Newley (184-G-88) was exceptional with 18 points. Rachael McCully (170-G-82) got the Fire off to the perfect start with a floating lay-up in their opening play. But soon after Griffin began to exert her influence with a series of baskets including three-straight three-pointers as the Spirit took a 13-point advantage. A couple of late Fire baskets had the home side up 25-17 at the first change with Griffin scoring 14 points and grabbing seven boards in the quarter. The game see-sawed in the second term as the Fire repeatedly threatened to peel back the Spirit's lead, but the home side found key baskets when needed. The Fire's best run came in the final minutes of the term as Alex Wilson (174-G-94) and Mia Newley scored vital points as the Spirit led 46-41 at the half with Griffin on 19 points and Steph Cumming and Newley scoring 10 each. In a frantic opening to the third term Suzy Batkovic took charge as the Fire grabbed the lead, the Opals centre going on to score 10 points for the term. But from there the teams traded baskets with Sara Blicavs (188-F-93)' two free throws giving the Spirit a 70-69 lead at the final change. Richards and Wilson gave Bendigo the edge early in the final 10 minutes, and the disciplined defending champions made sure they finished the job from there. The WNBL honoured Batkovic with her third-straight MVP award before the game, while supporters also applauded Rachael McCully in her 300th game. Fire coach Chris Lucas said his team gave their all in the match and were beaten by the better side. "You can't be happy with a loss but I said to the girls, 'Can you give any more?' and they said no," he said. "I thought in the third quarter we played really well but they shot the ball so well. "We followed our scouts and gave them shots we wanted them to take and they still went in. "We are not happy about coming second but someone has to come second." McCully is considering retirement but has yet to make a decision - Kristi Harrower encouraging her to play on considering "she has arguably had her best two seasons this past two years." Batkovic said her side had done themselves proud. "They shot the ball at 55 per cent that is phenomenal, how do you lose if you are shooting like that," she said. Courtesy of: wnbl.com.au
by T.J.
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