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BENDIGO Lady Braves coach Megan Moody has praised centre Maddi Wild for stepping up in the absence of veteran Gabe Richards.
Wild scored 12 points and hauled in 10 rebounds in the Braves women’s 92-60 SEABL win against Sandringham Sabres on Friday night, despite coming in for some close attention.
A physical encounter marked the opening of Bendigo Stadium’s new show court, but it was christened in style by the now 9-0 Braves, whose win rarely looked in doubt.
Kelly Wilson top-scored with 29 points and had a game-high 12 assists, while Nadeen Payne overcame a knock to the head in the second half to finish with 25 points and eight rebounds.
Guard Bianca Dufelmeier also shone with 18 points, on four from six shooting from beyond the arc.
But Moody, who is in her first season as head-coach, reserved special praise for Wild, who continues to grow in stature following a first WNBL season with Bendigo Spirit in 2017-18.
“Maddi has really stepped into some big shoes with Gabe Richards away (overseas) and has done a fantastic job,” she said.
“I can’t really credit her enough for her performances and also the development work she has put in with Gabe.
Moody said her side had been strongly challenged by the Sabres, who are coached by former Lady Braves coach Jonathan Goodman, but had really dug deep for each other.
“Sandringham is a really good side, they have a great roster and play really competitive basketball,” she said.
“It’s a bit unfortunate tonight they were missing a couple of players and had some foul trouble, and of course the (second half) injury to Deanna Jolliffe.
“Full credit to them for playing it out, but credit to our girls for just playing team basketball.
“We had a couple of patches when we weren’t so great but we’ll take the win and keep moving forward.”
The win moved the Braves women moved to 9-0 ahead of next Saturday’s clash against Kilsyth Cobras.
Moody said her side’s win-loss record was not a focus for the Braves coaches and players.
“It’s clichéd but we just want to take it one game at a time,” she said.
“Of course teams will come out to give their best effort against us because we are playing good basketball.
“But we just want to focus one match, one week and try and move forward each week.”
Rachel Jarry led the Sabres with 18 points and nine rebounds, while Megan Craig finished with 13 points and six rebounds.
Richards was not the only Braves star, who missed Friday night’s game, with Ash Karaitiana out of action with an injury.