IN this series each week, we take a look at the strongest performing players at each position to create the league’s Team of the Week.

Over the most recent weekend, the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) returned, with two matches taking place over the span of two days. There were some stirring performances and entertaining clashes as sides brushed off the dust to take the court for the first time in nearly a year. Last year’s champs reigned supreme in their first outing, but they suffered a massive scare from one of last year’s bottom sides. While in the other match, the Capitals held off a strong willed opponent to start their season in style.

Point Guard – Kelly Wilson (UC Capitals)

Five points, five rebounds, six assists

It was a relatively quiet night for the point guards around the league, but one who was able to make an impact on the match is Wilson. She controlled the tempo on the offensive end for her side with six assists, constantly making the right passes for her side. The veteran guard could have finished with even more if not for some slightly wayward shooting coming after her pinpoint passes. She was also able to play above her height, pulling down five boards amongst a sea of taller teammates and opponents.

Shooting Guard – Rebecca Cole (Southside Flyers)

24 points, three rebounds, four assists

It was a classic two-guard performance from Cole, who exploded on the offensive end during her side’s matchup against the Bendigo Spirit. Resuming from her red-hot form over the last few years, Cole was terrific in the season opener, consistently finding the bottom of the basket with her lights-out shooting. She shot extremely accurately from the field, making 10 of her 15 shots from the field and sinking four shots from behind the three-point line as the Flyers look to claim back-to-back titles.

Small Forward – Sara Blicavs (Southside Flyers)

27 points, 11 rebounds

Arguably the performance of the round came in the form of guard/forward hybrid Blicavs, who recorded a double-double in her side’s 11 point victory over the Spirit on Saturday night. She was dominant on the offensive end of the court, essentially proving unstoppable at times with the ball in hand and was able to have her way with the opponents that the Spirit threw her way. In another impressive statistic, of her 11 rebounds, five of them were offensive as she gave her side plenty of second-chance baskets.

Power Forward – Kelsey Griffin (UC Capitals)

12 points, 12 rebounds, three assists

The second Capital on the list is Griffin, who controlled the boards with her ferocious attack in the rebounding battle, and was a crucial cog in her side’s three point victory. Griffin was as impressive as anyone on the court, notching a double-double, and while she was somewhat inaccurate from the field, she was still able to fight her way to double-digits, sinking five field goals. Her rebounding performance was also crucial, fighting tooth and nail whenever the ball was up for grabs and securing another possession for her side.

Center – Abby Bishop (Southside Flyers)

20 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, four blocks

Our third Flyer inclusion in the Team of the Week comes in the form of Bishop, who was clinical in her return to action for the current WNBL season. The forward/center did all that was required for her side, starting with an impressive points total. In a high-scoring affair that was not separated by much, Bishop’s 20 points proved vital in the Flyers victory, as did her 11 rebounds. On the defensive end, she swatted four of the opposition’s field goal attempts, reading and affecting a number of potential baskets that may have affected the result of the match.

Bench

The backup point guard spot goes to Maddison Rocci of the Southside Flyers. In a true facilitator role, Rocci produced numbers of five rebounds and eight assists as she generated plenty of shots for her teammates. While she only recorded one point, it was her work as a playmaker that earned her a spot on this list.

Moving to the backup shooting guard position, we have Bendigo Spirit’s Tessa Lavey. While she can play at the point guard at times, she moved to the two for this match, where she poured in 15 points and four assists. She was able to score both inside and from deep, and also chipped in on the defensive end with four steals.

At the backup small forward position is Bendigo Spirit’s Anneli Maley, who impressed in her side’s loss. She recorded 15 points, 14 rebounds and five assists in a performance that sees her unlucky not to claim the starting position, and was a crucial cog in the Spirit almost getting themselves over the line.

The backup power forward spot is given to Keely Froling of the Sydney Uni Flames. Froling was terrific in her first match against her old side, recording 13 points and eight rebounds. Given this was also her first match in the Flames uniform, there was every chance that Froling would let the pressure get to her, but she was able to overcome this and perform.

The final backup spot goes to Mikaela Ruef of the UC Capitals. Coming off the bench for her side, Ruef made an impact in a big way. In just 15 minutes of action, she was able to record eight rebounds and two blocks, causing plenty of damage to the opposition’s offensive charge.