SOUTHSIDE Flyers have dominated our Draft Central Women’s National Basketball (WNBL) Team of the Week, having three of a possible 10 players in the side. The top six sides on the ladder all had a representative, with University of Canberra (UC) Capitals and Perth Lynx both having two representatives, while Adelaide Lightning, Melbourne Boomers and Bendigo Spirit all had a nominee each. The two winless sides – Townsville Fire and Sydney Uni Flames did not manage a player this week, leaving Townsville as the only side yet to have a player in the team from the first two weeks.

Alison Schwagmeyer became the sole player to make our starting Team of the Week in both rounds thus far, named in the guard position for a second consecutive week after averaging 22.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists this weekend. The Perth Lynx starter was joined in the team by fellow guard, Imani McGee-Stafford who narrowly missed out last week, but made the cut for Round 2. Also in the team for the second consecutive week is UC Capitals star, Kelsey Griffin who was named on the bench this week after being starting side last round. It was no indication of a drop in performance though with so many others standing up. Griffin had 16 points, 13 rebounds and four assists, joined in the side by guard, Olivia Epoupa whose seven steals got her a starting spot to go with her 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

Southside’s Leilani Mitchell was the third player to be named across both weeks, named in the bench guard position after averaging 12.5 points. 4.5 rebounds, 10.0 assists and 2.0 steals across two games. She was joined in the side by teammates, Jenna O’Hea (20.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 4.0 steals and 1.0 blocks) and Mercedes Russell (16.5 points, 13.0 rebounds) after big games. Also in the side is Melbourne Boomers’ Cayla George and Adelaide Lightning’s Brianna Turner who round out the 10-player squad this week.

Among the names considered for the team but missed out were Adelaide Lightning pair, Nicole Seekamp and Stephanie Talbot, Sydney Uni Flames’ Alice Kunek and Jessica Kuster, Townsville Fire duo Abby Bishop and Darcee Garbin, Bendigo Spirit’s Kelly Wilson and Marte Grays, and Melbourne Boomers’ Sophie Cunningham.

STARTING FIVE:

G: Alison Schwagmeyer (PL) 22.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 0.0 steals, 0.0 blocks, 54.5 FG%
G: Olivia Epoupa (UC) 13 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 7 steals, 0 blocks, 46.2 FG%
C: Cayla George (MB) 24 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 0 steals, 3 blocks, 62.5 FG%
F: Jenna O’Hea (SF) 20.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 4.0 steals, 1.0 block, 69.6 FG%
F: Carley Ernst (BS) 17.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.0 blocks, 40.0 FG%

BENCH:

G: Leilani Mitchell (SF) 12.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 10.0 assists, 2.0 steals, 0.0 blocks, 30.8 FG%
G: Imani McGee-Stafford (PL) 16.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.5 steals, 2.0 blocks, 40.7 FG%
C: Mercedes Russell (SF) 16.5 points, 13.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.5 blocks, 44.8 FG%
F: Kelsey Griffin (UC) 16 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 0 steals, 1 block, 38.5 FG%
F: Brianna Turner (AL) 19 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 3 blocks, 63.6 FG%