The Bendigo Spirit's roster for the 2019/20 WNBL season includes a great mixture of players, some new and others returning to the team.
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With veteran players such as Kelly Wilson in addition to newcomer import Martè Grays, the team is sure to be a strong force within the league.
In addition to an array of new players, the team will also be led by first-year coach Tracy York.
The Bendigo Advertiser caught up with York for a chat about the squad and the season ahead.
Martè Grays #35
"Martè comes to the team as the second import and is direct out of college in the U.S.
"She is settling in very well...every week at training she continues to show what she's got and is quick around the court with great athleticism.
"Martè has the ability to play inside and out and I'm looking forward to seeing what she brings to the team this season."
Becca Tobin #32
"Becca is also a very athletic and mobile player.
"She brings a unique versatile element to the line-up as she is potentially very hard to guard for the other teams."
Carley Ernst #18 vice-captain
"Carley is a 6'7 knock-down three-point shooter.
"She can easily play inside and out and I'm really excited to see what she brings this season.
"She has been in the league a long time for such a young person, this is a really great opportunity for her this year."
Kara Tessari #3
"Kara was with the Spirit last year and just played with the Cobras in the NBL1.
"She is a shooting guard that can certainly knock down the three.
"But she's also a very awesome team-mate on and off the court, in addition to being a very coachable athlete."
Demi Skinner #12
"Demi is a tall forward shooting player with a solid scoring mindset.
"A very versatile player both inside and out and I'm excited to see how she takes the season on."
Shyla Heal #4
"I coached Shyla in the under-17 team in Guam, she's a jet.
"She is an up-and-coming tough point-guard for Australia and knows how to score points, along with providing great defence.
"During the pre-season it was proved she can play at this level and will certainly be one to watch."
Abbey Wehrung #13
"Abbey is a very hardworking, versatile player and very coachable.
"She has just overcome a minor injury during pre-season which saw her miss a couple weeks.
"She is getting back into the flow, but on the court she can play multiple positions with ease and knows how to put points on the board."
Tessa Lavey #24 co-captain
"She's a trick.
"Great on and off the floor paired with a fantastic personality. She is really good to have around for the group.
"Playing wise she is a very quick player and her challenge will be to use that quickness to score.
"Great defender up and down the floor and really knows how to put pressure on.
"All in all she is so much fun to have around for the whole team."
Gabe Richards #20
"It's fantastic to have Gabe back playing with the Spirit, she has now been a part of this team for such a long time.
"She didn't play WNBL last season but this year she brings a steady head to the team, good leadership attributes and can score in the paint.
"It's great to have someone that's a Bendigo icon superstar back on the team."
Kelly Wilson #22 co-captain
"Kelly is an absolute superstar and probably the hardest working player on the team.
"She works full-time, but still finds the time everyday to shoot hoops down at the Bendigo Stadium, goes back to work and then comes to training.
"She is the benchmark in the team when it comes to effort.
"This was shown through her being named as the NBL1 MVP and it's great to have her back with the Spirit.
"I'm very excited to have her back with the group."
Bella Stratford #1
"Bella comes to the Bendigo Spirit as a development player and will most likely head off to college next year.
"An up-and-comer who has only just turned 18. She is very athletic, strong and powerful.
"She hasn't missed a beat training-wise and settled in with the group really well.
"Bella is another of our players that's a hard worker and will definitely put some pressure on at training."
Kasey Burton #5
"Kasey is another of our development players. This year will give her the opportunity to show us where she is at as a player.
"She can shoot, is really solid defensively and again, this is her opportunity for her to show us what she can do."
Bendigo Spirit's first seven games
v Melbourne - home
Saturday, October 12
Tip-off - 7pm
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v Melbourne - away
Saturday, October 19
Tip-off - 7.30pm
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v Perth - home
Sunday, October 20
Tip-off - 5pm
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v Southside - away
Saturday, October 26
Tip-off - 5pm
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v Adelaide - home
Friday, November 1
Tip-off - 7pm
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v Southside - away
Sunday, November 3
Tip-off - 5pm
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v Adelaide - away
Saturday, November 9
Tip-off - 7pm
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