THE WNBL season is getting closer each day, and the preparations of each team are starting to ramp up as the pre-season reaches the pointy end. In our player spotlight series, we take a look at the starting lineup of each team and what each player will bring to the table. With plenty of exciting player movements around the league, there are set to be some enthralling dynamics across the league. The first team on the agenda is the Southside Flyers, who will be looking to back up their impressive 2020 campaign. The Flyers will enter this season with the title of ‘reigning champions’, but with a few new faces on the roster, they will be just as dangerous in their quest to claim back-to-back titles.

The Flyers look set to be once again led by captain Jenna O’Hea, who has enjoyed a number of successful seasons with the side at the forward position. The team leans on O’Hea’s reliable play frequently, and will be looking to back up an impressive championship campaign in 2020.

Born in the Victorian town of Traralgon, O’Hea developed a passion for the sport of basketball at a young age, and the talent came shortly after. With a strong junior career for the Nunawading Spectres catching the attention of many scouts, a potential for a professional career became a very achievable goal for the youngster.

With a career in Netball also a possibility for a while, O’Hea opted to chase the dream of a successful basketball journey, and following some action representing Australia at international level, joined the country’s premier basketball competition in the WNBL.

She joined the league ahead of the 2005 season, hitting the court for the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), where she displayed a natural talent for the game. In a team full of talented youngsters, O’Hea stood out with a large amount of impressive play on both ends of the court.

Midway through the season, she joined the Dandenong Rangers, and was a part of the side that finished runners-up, and was a valuable contributor to the side with 5.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. She displayed a strong level of maturity for her age, and looked destined for stardom.

Her breakout season came the following year, where she averaged 21.8 points and 5.6 rebounds in the first seven games of the season, as she declared herself as one of the league’s premier young talents. Since this time, she has battled through injury, but has maintained a strong level of consistency.

A stint overseas in the WNBA only grew her reputation as one of Australia’s brightest young stars, and following five years balancing her time between the United States and Australia, she returned to the land down under in 2016 as one of the league’s leaders.

Since this time, she has developed impressive leadership abilities during her time with both the Melbourne Boomers and the Southside Flyers. Her side always know what to expect from their captain, and will be just as ecstatic for her return this year.

Southside Flyers coach Cheryl Chambers says her side are grateful for O’Hea’s consistent contributions.

“She’s just such a leader,” Chambers says.

“She does everything, she brings experience and she’s one of the best passers in the league for mine.”

Photo credit: Southside Flyers