BENDIGO basketballers have claimed the player of the week award in both the men’s and women’s divisions of the South East Australian Basketball League.
IGA Lady Brave Louise McLean and Telstra Brave Dustin Bremerman capped outstanding weekend performances with official SEABL recognition yesterday.
It is the first time a player in either Bendigo side had been awarded the honour this season.
McLean shot a season high 25 points, had six rebounds and dished out five assists in the Lady Braves’ dominant 108-80 victory against North West Tasmania last Saturday evening.
Bremerman shot a league season high 49 points, claimed six boards and gave two assists as the Braves recorded a convincing 116-94 win over Nunawading.
McLean’s debut SEABL season follows a berth in the inaugural Bendigo Spirit team in the Women’s National Basketball League earlier this year.
The former Warrnambool Mermaid, who had played in the first division of the Big V league prior to moving north, said stepping up to WNBL basketball first had made the transition to SEABL competition easier.
‘‘It’s definitely been a big adjustment from where I was 12 months ago, but I think I’m finally starting to feel more comfortable and play the way I know that I can,’’ McLean said.
‘‘(Spirit and Lady Braves coach Bernie Harrower) has been on my back for probably six months now about scoring because I’m not much of a threat, so I guess now I’m just starting to actually do it.’’ McLean said her form from outside the arch against the Lady Thunder, where she managed seven from nine shooting, was part of a broader focus by the side to reduce the strain on dominant inside player Gabe Richards.
Bremerman was equally prominent from the perimeter, shooting 11 three-pointers from 16 attempts on his way to the seventh highest individual score in SEABL history.
The US-import shot at 67 per cent and managed to score nine consecutive points at the start of the third quarter.