bendigoadvertiser.com.
au
Spirit hits milestone
250
WNBL
games for
Bendigo
BY LUKE WEST
J
UST over 10 years after
making its WNBL de-
but, the Bendigo Spirit
reached the 250-game
milestone on Saturday night.
However, it wasn’t a night
to celebrate as the Spirit
copped a 94-59 hiding from
Townsville.
The Spirit’s WNBL journey
started on a Saturday night
in October, 2007, at the
Bendigo Stadium against the
Dandenong Rangers.
In front of a crowd of
more than 1000, the Spirit
celebrated their WNBL de-
but with an 87-66 win over
the Rangers.
Among the Stars in the
Spirit’s historic first game
was Gabe Richards, who
wrote her name into the
history books by scoring the
club’s first points on the way
to a game-high 23 to go with
10 rebounds.
A decade on Richards was
among the starters in game
No.250 for the club as the
only player still on the roster
from the debut season.
Throughout 250 games
the highlights are clear – the
back-to-back champion-
ships in 2012-13 and 2013-14
during a two-season stretch
where the red-hot Spirit won
47 of 52 games.
Both championships were
won against Townsville, be-
fore the Fire got their grand
final revenge on the Spirit in
2014-15, denying Bendigo a
championship three-peat.
Over their 250 games the
Spirit have built a 155-95
win-loss record, reached the
playoffs in six of 10 complet-
ed seasons and of their sev-
en rivals in the competition
this season, have an overall
winning record against all
but Canberra (14-15) and
Townsville (15-17).
• A look at the Bendigo
Spirit through 250 games:
MOST GAMES
PLAYED:
Gabe Richards – 222
Kelly Wilson – 186
Jane Chalmers – 177
Kristi Harrower – 147
Chelsea Aubry – 145
Heather Oliver – 137
……………………………..
MOST POINTS:
Gabe Richards – 2802
Kristi Harrower – 2194
HISTORIC NIGHT: The Bendigo Spirit prepare for their first WNBL game against Dandneong on October 6, 2007. The Spirit won 87-66.
Kelsey Griffin – 1915
Kelly Wilson – 1716
Chelsea Aubry – 1124
Belinda Snell – 724
Tess Madgen – 715
……………………………..
MOST REBOUNDS:
Gabe Richards – 1741
Kelsey Griffin – 1071
Kristi Harrower – 718
Kelly Wilson – 667
Chelsea Aubry – 574
Jasmine Finnigan – 372
……………………………..
MOST ASSISTS:
Kristi Harrower – 832
Kelly Wilson – 607
Gabe Richards – 303
Kelsey Griffin – 229
Belinda Snell – 155
……………………………..
MOST BLOCKS:
Gabe Richards – 144
Kelsey Griffin – 117
Lauren King – 49
Chelsea Aubry – 33
Jasmine Finnigan – 33
……………………………..
MOST STEALS:
Kelsey Griffin – 180
Kelly Wilson – 147
Kristi Harrower – 131
Gabe Richards – 111
……………………………..
PLAYERS
There have been 58
players take to the court for
the Bendigo Spirit through
their 250 games.
Of those 58, 16 (listed in
bold) are championship
players with the club, while
only Gabe Richards (222)
CHAMPIONS: The Bendigo Spirit team that won the
club's first WNBL championship in 2012-13 after beating
Townsville 71-57 at the Bendigo Stadium.
has played more than 200
games for the Spirit.
In alphabetical order,
games in brackets – Ahlise
Hurst (3), Andrea Walsh
(22), Andrea Wilson (63),
Anna Teague (10), Antonia
Edmondson (24), Ashleigh
Karaitiana (31), Ashleigh
Spencer (50), Ashleigh
Stonehouse (3).
Belinda Snell (49),
Betnijah Laney (8), Blake
Dietrick (24).
Chantella Perera (45),
Chelsea Aubry (145), Chloe
Little (6), Cortney William-
son (3).
Deanna Smith (21),
Deanne Butler (23).
Ebony Antonio (4),
Ebony Rolph (13), Elanor
Haring (48), Elyse Penaluna
(21).
Gabe Richards (222).
Hanna Zavecz (17),
Hayley Munro (25), Heather
Oliver (137).
Monday November 13, 2017 BENDIGO ADVERTISER
Jaclyn Smith (31), Jane
Chalmers (177), Jasmine
Finnigan (114), Jenna O'Hea
(20), Joy Burke (24).
Kara Tessari (12), Karen
Ashby (24), Kathleen Ma-
cLeod (24), Kellie Savaidis
(3), Kelly Wilson (186),
Kelsey Griffin (121), Kerryn
Harrington (55), Kristi
Harrower (147).
Lauren King (46), Lisa
Pardon (24), Lisa Walbutton
(22), Louise Brown (49).
Maddi Garrick (79),
Maddi Wild (4), Marita
Payne (21), Molly Mat-
thews (5).
Nadeen Payne (33), Nayo
Raincock-Ekunwe (24).
Rachel Banham (9),
Rachel Herrick (24), Rebecca
Campigli (7), Renae Cami-
no (20).
Sara Blicavs (51),
Sarah McAppion (5), Sarah
Strange (2).
Tayla Roberts (14),
31
BASKETBALL SPORT
POST-MATCH TRADITION: Kelly Wilson cuts the net after
the Spirit's 2013-14 grand final win - again at the expense
of the Townsville Fire in Bendigo. This time it was 94-83.
Tess Madgen (46), Tessa Played: 32; 15-17
Lavey (41). v South East QLD
…………………………….. Played: 3; 2-1
v Logan
COACHES Played: 15; 13-2
• Bernie Harrower v AIS
2007-08-2014-15 Played: 10; 9-1
Record: 128-65 v Christchurch
• Simon Pritchard Played: 3; 1-2
2015-16 – TOTAL
Record: 27-30 Played: 250; 155-95
…………………………….. ……………………………..
HEAD-TO-HEAD GAME RECORDS:
RECORDS: • Highest score for:
v Adelaide 107 – v Perth, 2008-09
Played: 33; 18-15 • Lowest score for:
v Canberra 43 – v Canberra, 2010-11
Played: 29; 14-15 • Highest score against:
v Dandenong 108 – v Perth, 2016-17
Played: 32; 24-8 • Lowest score against:
v Melbourne/Bulleen 30 – v AIS, 2011-12
Played: 33; 18-15 • Biggest win:
v Perth/West Coast 49 points – 94 d AIS 45,
Played: 32; 25-7 2009-10
v Sydney Uni • Biggest loss:
Played: 28; 16-12 41 points – 67 lt Perth 108,
v Townsville 2016-17