Heat rises in Sydney

By Travis King
Updated November 7 2012 - 6:09am, first published October 27 2011 - 10:04am
Kristi Harrower
Kristi Harrower

Bendigo Spirit coach Bernie Harrower is confident his team can continue their great record at Sydney Uni Flames’ home court when they meet in tomorrow’s Women’s National Basketball League fourth round clash.Spirit doused the Flames at SUSCA last season and Harrower said yesterday it’s a court his team enjoys playing on.“Traditionally we play very well against Sydney,” Harrower said.“It’s a court where we’ve always done OK. “We play the court well and we match up well.”The Flames are top of the table after four straight wins, while the Spirit have fought back from consecutive defeats in the Queensland road trip in week one to win their past two matches, which included a 39-point demolition of the West Coast Waves last weekend.“Offensively we have been very good, except for the first weekend,” Harrower said of Spirit’s clashes with Townsville and Logan.“Our offence has been much better than for most of our time in the league.”Australian Opals Alicia Poto and Belinda Snell joined the Flames in the off-season to add to the club’s imposing attacking options and Harrower said it’s crucial the Spirit defend well tomorrow night.“Defence is the key,” Harrower said. “They’re a talented offensive group so we need to put the brakes on what they do.“They’re more than capable of winning the championship with the squad they’ve got. We’ll have to be at our best to win.”Spirit are sweating on the fitness of centre Gabrielle Richards who has not trained this week because of illness, but will regain guard Heather Oliver from broken ribs.Star guard Kristi Harrower missed the corresponding fixture last season and will be pivotal to the Spirit ending the Flames’ unbeaten run.Bendigo Spirit have three home matches in a row after this weekend and Harrower said it will be an opportunity to build some winning momentum at Bendigo Stadium.“Our start to the season would have been a hard start for anybody,” Bernie Harrower said. “It will be good to be back on the comfort of our home court in the next few weeks.”

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