BENDIGO Spirit will look to unveil a new offence in Sunday’s return WNBL practice match against Dandenong Rangers in Shepparton.
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But the success of its introduction could hinge largely on the availability of shooting guard Abbey Wehrung, who is slated to be one of the keys to the offence this season.
The 22-year-old former Canberra Capitals star has been battling illness and missed the Spirit’s practice session on Thursday morning.
She is due back at practice on Friday.
The Spirit will be attempting back-to-back pre-season wins against the Rangers following an 80-77 victory last Friday in Melbourne.
They had just eight players available with reigning Spirit MVP Nadeen Payne, Cassidy McLean and Maddi Wild missing and second import Jamie Scott still to arrive.
Experienced guard Nat Hurst led the way with 21 points, Marena Whittle added 18, while Louella Tomlinson continued her great form with 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Pritchard was further impressed with import centre Rebecca Tobin, who had an equal game-high 12 rebounds, five assists and 12 points, and the defensive presence of development player Courtney Wragg.
The game was the Spirit’s fifth this pre-season, but the first for Dandenong.
The fourth-year coach said the Spirit had spent the bulk of the week working on its new offence and defensive transition.
“Hopefully Abbey will be right to train on Friday because she has been sick all week and the offence is designed to maximise her and Becca and Nadeen,” Pritchard said.
“That will be the main thing we will work on this weekend and generally getting up to speed.
“We want to get the fitness level up and playing at WNBL tempo – it’s two jumps above SEABL, which a lot of the girls have come off.
“It’s not an easy task, especially when you have low numbers (at training) and are managing people.”
The Spirit are 2-3 to this point of the pre-season, with two of the losses against Melbourne Boomers by four points or less.
Pritchard was looking forward to regaining Payne, who missed a trio of games in Gippsland against the Boomers and the win over the Rangers while recovering from a concussion sustained during training.
Wild, who injured her hamstring in Gippsland, has not been cleared to play, and will return to full training on Monday.
The game in Shepparton tips-off at 2pm on Sunday.