The Bendigo Spirit went through the WNBL bubble season in north Queensland without a victory, but coach Tracy York couldn't be prouder of her players.
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The Spirit's season concluded on Friday night with a 13th-straight loss - 91-70 at the hands of title contender Melbourne Boomers.
"I think people assume that if you're losing things are going to implode,'' York said.
"We knew going into this season we weren't on an even playing field with other clubs in terms of talent, finances and budget.
"I have to say these girls were outstanding on and off the floor. We stuck together, we tried to stay with our process and improve each time.
"We recruited for a six-month season, not a 28-day season. When we were back in that recruiting phase back in March, April, May, no-one knew that there'd be restrictions on imports.
"We just didn't have the finances that other clubs have to attract the top line Opals players."
York said it wasn't just the Spirit's coaching staff that lauded their playing group for their efforts in north Queensland.
"I'm proud of the fact that we were happy human beings and culturally we were really good on and off the floor,'' she said.
"Even right to the end of our last game the girls were cheering. I got comments from other coaches about what a great job the girls did to play so hard all the time.
"When you look at the talent we couldn't match a lot of the other teams, but we could with energy and effort. I think, for the most part, we did that."
After a well-deserved catch-up with family and friends and a break over Christmas-New Year, planning will begin for the 2021-22 WNBL season.
York was hopeful a pandemic-free 2021 would help the Spirit close the gap on the big clubs.
"Bendigo Stadium Limited went through COVID, so to just get the team on the floor (this season) took a big effort,'' York said.
"We are the only regional team in the competition. (To improve) we need to have the resources on and off the floor."
After being canclled in 2020 because of COVID-19, the 2021 NBL1 season looks set to begin in April.
York said the Bendigo Braves women's side was crucial for the development of the Spirit's young players.
"The young girls need to play some more basketball,'' York said.
"Hopefully, the NBL1 season goes ahead and they can use the experience they had in the WNBL to make them better players."
The WNBL play-offs begin this week and York said there was little between the top three teams.
"Before the season I thought Southside would have romped it in,'' she said.
"They've lost games and had some close ones, so it's probably a toss of the coin between Southside, Melbourne Boomers and (Canberra) Capitals.
"Even Townsville, who are essentially playing at home, could surprise.
"If I had to pick one team I'd say Southside."
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