A MAJOR scare has rocked the Bendigo Bank Spirit after a head clash between Gabe Richards and Chantella Perera landed both players in hospital on Wednesday night.
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Richards lay dazed on the court for about 10 minutes after she changed direction and collected Perera’s nose with her mouth at training.
The Spirit’s star centre was battling headaches and will not resume training until she gets the all-clear from medicos, while Perera is believed to have recovered.
“They’re both OK,” Bendigo Spirit coach Bernie Harrower said yesterday.
“Gabe’s got some headaches out of it, so we’ve got to make sure that goes before she’s allowed to do anything.
“Gabe went to spin one way and spun back the other way, Channy was coming in to help and they clashed heads, so it was a bit of a heavy knock.
“They both went to hospital for checks and to see if they needed any X-rays or anything like that.”
Injuries are the last thing the Spirit needs with just over a week until its first appearance in the Women’s National Basketball League grand final at Bendigo Stadium.
Harrower said the incident sent a shock through the camp.
“It certainly did, because you never know where it’s at,” Harrower said.
In better news, captain Kristi Harrower was able to shoot around and will gradually increase her workload in the lead-up to the March 10 clash against Dandenong or Townsville.
“She’ll be light at training from now on. It will be more about getting her to do a bit more next week,” Bernie Harrower said.
Meanwhile, ticket sales for the season decider slowed yesterday after running red hot on Wednesday.
Yesterday afternoon about an extra 200 tickets had been sold, with a sell-out likely. To buy tickets, phone 5434 6214, visit bendigostadium.com.au or head to the Stadium’s box office at 134 Marong Road.
The Bendigo Advertiser will republish the Bendigo Spirit supporters poster in tomorrow’s edition.