The Bendigo Spirit's coaching squad has focused its attention to empowering its players on-court mindsets.
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The team's assistant coach Mark Alabakov said they had directed their concentration on 'conscious thoughts and the emotional responses' of the players.
"Our focus has been from the athletes' point of view and their responses to situations as they pertain during each game," Alabakov said.
"Every week we play against WNBL teams with players who have tremendous talent.
"And when athlete allow themselves to be mentally defeated when things don't go their way on a play, it's all about the positive empowered mindset that follows."
The new outlook was evident in the team's recent thrilling one-point win over the Townsville Fire.
The win was sealed with a strong defensive play by the Spirit and also ended their nine-game losing streak.
"That last possession was huge for us," Alabakov said.
"We crowded the offensive rebound and stayed clean defensively.
"Everything that we've been preaching for weeks came to fruition in a series of actions in that last possession which led to the win.
"Change is happening and it's leading to results. Tracy has done a great job in building belief in the athletes and presenting what our identity is as a team."
They will face a challenge on Friday night when they host top-three team and reigning champions the UC Capitals.
The teams have met once so far this season, back in round 10 in Canberra when the Capitals locked in a 10-point win over the Spirit, final scores 66-76
Spirit head coach Tracy York said the encounter with the Capitals was set to be a tough game.
"The players are happy with our recent win and the aim is to keep the improvements coming as we move forward," York said.
"It's about staying on the play for every moment...it's the process of playing much better defence, tidying up a few other areas and just simply having the belief that we can do it."
In the last game against the Capitals, Keely Froling shined by putting 30 points on the board against the Spirit.
"The key is to not let her or any of the other players get away from us, which is what we were able to do in the Townsville game."
Alabakov shared the same outlook towards locking down Canberra during the match.
"They are a tall group and will try and post our guards," he said.
"Canberra did a really good job of it last time and it was a headache for us."
- Bendigo Spirit v UC Capitals Friday night at the Bendigo Stadium for the team's Indigenous round, tip-off at 7pm.
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