JUST over 10 years after making its WNBL debut, the Bendigo Spirit reached the 250-game milestone on Saturday night.
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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 debut 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 championships the club celebrated in 2012-13 and 2013-14 during a two-season stretch where the Spirit won 47 of their 52 games.
Both championships were won against Townsville, before 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 completed seasons and of their seven 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
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MOST POINTS:
Gabe Richards – 2802
Kristi Harrower – 2194
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) 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 Williamson (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).
Jaclyn Smith (31), Jane Chalmers (177), Jasmine Finnigan (114), Jenna O'Hea (20), Joy Burke (24).
Kara Tessari (12), Karen Ashby (24), Kathleen MacLeod (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 Matthews (5).
Nadeen Payne (33), Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe (24).
Rachel Banham (9), Rachel Herrick (24), Rebecca Campigli (7), Renae Camino (20).
Sara Blicavs (51), Sarah McAppion (5), Sarah Strange (2).
Tayla Roberts (14), Tess Madgen (46), Tessa Lavey (41).
……………………………..
COACHES
• Bernie Harrower
2007-08-2014-15
Record: 128-65
• Simon Pritchard
2015-16 –
Record: 27-30
……………………………..
Head-to-Head records:
v Adelaide
Played: 33; 18-15
v Canberra
Played: 29; 14-15
v Dandenong
Played: 32; 24-8
v Melbourne/Bulleen
Played: 33; 18-15
v Perth/West Coast
Played: 32; 25-7
v Sydney Uni
Played: 28; 16-12
v Townsville
Played: 32; 15-17
v South East QLD
Played: 3; 2-1
v Logan
Played: 15; 13-2
v AIS
Played: 10; 9-1
v Christchurch
Played: 3; 1-2
TOTAL
Played: 250; 155-95
……………………………..
GAME RECORDS:
• Highest score for:
107 – v Perth, 2008-09
• Lowest score for:
43 – v Canberra, 2010-11
• Highest score against:
108 – v Perth, 2016-17
• Lowest score against:
30 – v AIS, 2011-12
• Biggest win:
49 points – 94 d AIS 45, 2009-10
• Biggest loss:
41 points – 67 lt Perth 108, 2016-17