Spirit soars

Bendigo Weekly | Bendigo Weekly | 27-Jan-2012 UPDATE

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ACTION: Bendigo v Bulleen. picture Courtesy of Melissa Sudero.
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THE Bendigo Spirit defeated WNBL champions Bulleen Boomers 74-56 on the weekend in a stunning result for the club.

After losing to the West Coast Waves in what was the low point of their season last round, the Spirit turned things around to secure their second victory on Bulleen’s home floor this season, taking out the season-series between the two 2-1. Tess

Madgen led the way for the victorious Spirit with 19 points, connecting on eight of 13 field goal attempts, to go along with eight rebounds, three steals and three assists. Deanna Smith added 15 points and Kristi Harrower added 14 points for the Spirit, who took their season record to 11-8.

Sam Richards top-scored for the Boomers with 14 points, while leading scorer Liz Cambage only managed ten points and ten rebounds. Bendigo Spirit 74 (Tess Madgen 19, Deanna Smith 15, Kristi Harrower 14) defeated the Bulleen Boomers 56 (Sam Richards 14, Liz Cambage 10, Amelia Todhunter 9).

Earlier

Needing to win all of its four remaining games to safely lock down a play off position, and with an injured Kristi Harrower, Bendigo Spirit coach Bernie Harrower is all too aware of the huge challenge that awaits his charges this weekend.
Crunch time has officially arrived for the fifth placed Spirit, who face the two top teams next, with Liz Cambage’s Bulleen Boomers on Saturday night, and Adelaide on February 4.
Harrower said his girls would be seeking redemption after  an “unacceptable” loss to bottom placed West Coast by two points last Sunday in Perth.
“It certainly is (crunch time),” Harrower said.
“We need to go 4 and 0 going into the playoffs. It’s a big ask for us but at the end of the day, if we’re good enough we’ll get the job done.
“We’re looking for some redemption after last weekend.
“The loss to West Coast, it really stung us, it really put our plans into disarray.”
Harrower said he gave his team one of his all-time great roasts after the West Coast loss.
“I gave the girls a pretty hard time after the game, and they had some punishment on Tuesday night at training, which they certainly weren’t happy about,” he said.
“I’ve had some tirades, I think this was probably the worst I’ve ever dished out.
“But you make your bed, you lie in it.”
Harrower said daughter Kristi would play despite ongoing problems with her Achilles.
“She’s not 100 per cent but she’ll play,” he said.
Assistant coach Jeremi Moule said the Spirit had the defence to restrict Bulleen’s power players, but needed to hone its shooting efficiency.
“Our defence has improved significantly, but on the weekend our poor shooting percentage cost us in both games,” he said.
“The loss to West Coast was the lowest point of the season.
“Given the context – at the end of the season and fighting for a finals spot – it was very disappointing.
 “The team has had one of its most physically challenging training weeks of the season.”
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