SUNDAY night saw the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) awards handed out on the league’s night of nights, and the highest individual award went to Cayla George of the Melbourne Boomers.
George was a straightforward selection for the Suzy Batkovic Medal, having led the league in rebounding, finished second in scoring, and led the Boomers to another finals campaign.
Her numbers of 18.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game were clearly the best and most well-rounded of any player, and the Opal should continue to make an impact deep into the finals.
In a remarkable double win, 18-year-old Isobel Borlase claimed both the Betty Watson Breakout Player of the Year award, and the Sixth Woman of the Year Award. The Adelaide Lightning young gun enjoyed a terrific campaign, bursting onto the scene with a terrific showing in her first season on a WNBL list. She averaged 13.5 points per game, and appears to have a bright future ahead.
Speaking of the bursting onto the scene, Townsville Fire coach Shannon Seebohm was rewarded for his side’s remarkable late-season surge, claiming the Coach of the Year Award. Townsville stormed home in the last month of the season to claim top spot in the standings with a 17-4 record.
The WNBL finals kick off on Wednesday night, with a number of award recipients set to make a big impact in the biggest games of the season.
Award Winners
- Suzy Batkovic Medal (League MVP): Cayla George (Melbourne Boomers)
- Coach of the Year: Shannon Seebohm (Townsville Fire)
- Betty Watson Breakout Player of the Year: Isobel Borlase (Adelaide Lightning)
- Sixth Woman of the Year: Isobel Borlase (Adelaide Lightning)
- Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year: Stephanie Talbot (Adelaide Lightning)
- Community Award: Steph Reid (Townsville Fire)
All WNBL First Team:
- Cayla George (Deakin Melbourne Boomers)
- Sami Whitcomb (Perth Lynx)
- Tianna Hawkins (Townsville Fire)
- Kristy Wallace (Melbourne Boomers)
- Kayla Thornton (Southside Flyers)
All WNBL Second Team:
- Jade Melbourne (UC Capitals)
- Tiffany Mitchell (Melbourne Boomers)
- Lauren Nicholson (Townsville Fire)
- Steph Talbot (Adelaide Lightning)
- Lauren Scherf (Perth Lynx)
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