IN this series each week, we take a look at the strongest performing players at each position to create our Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) Team of the Week.

Round 12 featured five games across the board with Bendigo Spirit, Melbourne Boomers and Adelaide Lightning all playing two games.

Point Guard – Alex Wilson (Bendigo Spirit)

Wilson was a shining light across two games, and coming along nicely in the backcourt behind Maley who has caught all the headlines this season. Across her two games, Wilson put up 19 points, 14 rebound, six assists, four steals and five blocks to be the most balanced across the board. The total averages came at 9.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 3.0 blocks from the loss to the Lightning and win against the Flyers from the weekend.

Shooting Guard – Stephanie Talbot (Adelaide Lightning)

Adelaide picked up back-to-back wins over Bendigo Spirit and Sydney Uni Flames, and it was no surprise to see Talbot amongst it again. She notched up 25 points, 19 rebounds, 15 assists, seven steals and one block from the two games, to the standout guard from the weekend. In Round 2, Talbot averaged 12.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 3.5 steals, not that far off a triple-double and continuing her sensational season.

Small Forward – Anneli Maley (Bendigo Spirit)

Right up there for league Most Valuable Player (MVP) this season, Maley’s numbers were again off the charts. Owning the small forward spot and picking up from where she left off last week, Maley piled on more points (56) and rebounds (30) than anyone else, as well as 10 assists, ranking her first from the frontcourt players. Maley’s averages fall at 28 points, 15 rebounds and five assists, in a sustained remarkable effort.

Power Forward – Cayla George (Melbourne Boomers)

Like Maley, George’s numbers were just too good to ignore, with the Boomers having back-to-back wins over Townsville Fire and UC Capitals respectively. From two match, George brought up the equal-third most points (34), second most rebounds (26), and still picked up a few assists and a couple of steals. All in all, George averaged a double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds from the two victories to earn her spot in the team.

Center – Kylee Shook (Adelaide Lightning)

Taking up the five spot is another Lightning player, emphasising just how good Adelaide was in Round 12. Shook has had a good season this year, and that continued against Bendigo and Sydney Uni, recording 34 points, 20 rebounds, four blocks, three assists and one steal. From the key stats, Shook averaged the 17 points and 10 rebounds, to be another big that totalled a double-double average from two games.

Bench

In the guard spots, it is a couple of young Opal representatives slotting in following standout singular performances. Sydney Uni Flames‘ Shyla Heal picked up 24 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals in the Flames’ 17-point loss to the Lightning, yet again being a shining light in an otherwise disappointing home loss.

The other guard is Southside Flyers‘ Maddison Rocci who knocked down 29 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals in the Flyers’ surprise defeat at the hands of Bendigo Spirit.

In the front court, Melbourne and Adelaide again feature, with Tess Madgen and Alanna Smith slotting in on the bench. Madgen picked up 35 points, five rebounds and five assists from her two matches, whilst Smith averaged the 14 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 blocks in the Lightning’s victories.

Rounding out the 10-player side is Bendigo’s Megan McKay who recorded 30 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and three steals in Round 12. It equated to an averaged of 15.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists from her two matches, to earn her the reserve center spot.