BENDIGO Braves women championship players Caitlin McLachlan and Bianca Dufelmeier have signed on with the Bendigo Spirit as development players for the upcoming WNBL season.
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Both join the Spirit squad after impressing coach Simon Pritchard during the Braves’ women’s dominant 23-1 SEABL season that was capped off with last Saturday night’s grand final win against Launceston.
“Bianca’s high energy and experience is going to be invaluable to the Spirit this season,” Pritchard said of Dufelmeier.
“What I like is her versatility. She can penetrate deep and still hit a long bomb, and her high basketball IQ means we will be able to prepare the team against a really competitive training team.
“The extra skill work and standard of training will see her show great improvement this season. She will be an invaluable contributor to our team in 2019.”
Dufelemier, 26, has previously played three seasons of college basketball in the US.
McLachlan, 22, is a Bendigo junior who has risen through the Braves and Victorian Country ranks.
“What I like about Caitlin is her assertiveness at trainings,” Pritchard said.
“She is ready to step up to the Spirit program and will provide great effort and toughness in our preparations each week.
“As a US college returnee, she understands the standard of the league and where she can help the Spirit this season.
“I am hoping the Spirit becomes a springboard for her to hit the main Braves rotation next season.”
The 2018-19 WNBL fixture was released with this week, with the Spirit to open their season with an away game against Melbourne on Saturday, October 13, at the State Basketball Centre.
The team’s first home game at the Bendigo Stadium will be against Dandenong on Saturday, October 20.
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• Bendigo Spirit 2018-19 WNBL fixture:
Saturday, October 13 – v Melbourne (away)
Saturday, October 20 – v Dandenong (home)
Friday, October 26 – v Perth (away)
Sunday, October 28 – v Adelaide (away)
Saturday, November 3 – v Adelaide (home)
Monday, November 5 – v Melbourne (away)
Sunday, November 11 – v Sydney Uni (home)
Friday, November 16 – v Dandenong (home)
Sunday, November 18 – v Sydney Uni (away)
Saturday, November 24 – v Townsville (home)
Thursday, November 29 – v Townsville (away)
Saturday, December 1 – v Sydney Uni (away)
Friday, December 7 – v Perth (away)
Sunday, December 9 – v Canberra (away)
Sunday, December 16 – v Dandenong (away)
Friday, December 21 – v Townsville (home)
Saturday, December 29 – v Melbourne (home)
Friday, January 4 – v Canberra (away)
Sunday, January 6 – v Perth (home)
Thursday, January 10 – v Adelaide (home)
Saturday, January 19 – v Canberra (home)
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