BASKETBALL

WNBL/NBL

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

 

THE final home-and-away matches of the WNBL took place last week.

Despite a valiant end to their season, Traralgon’s Jade Melbourne and her UC Capitals ended the year fifth on the ladder, narrowly missing the finals by point differential.

The Capitals defeated Bendigo Spirit (who finished top of the ladder) at AIS Arena 83 to 74, while the team just above them, Sydney Flames, were handled easily by Townsville Fire 83-50, but still held onto fourth spot.

Melbourne ended her fourth WNBL season with one of her best performances to date – 40 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

Melbourne finished the season sixth in the league for scoring at an average of 15.7 points per game and led the league in assists with 6.8 a game to go along with 5.8 rebounds a night.

WNBA training camp begins on April 27, with Melbourne’s Washington Mystics playing on opening night of the 2025 season on May 16 against Atlanta Dream.

 

DESPITE her team in Geelong United falling off in the final weeks of the season, Moe’s Jaz Shelley completed a great debut year in the WNBL.

Both her and her team completed their first season in the league with United finishing second bottom with a win-loss record of 6-15 after a Round 16 loss to Adelaide Lightning at Adelaide Arena, 87-70.

Shelly had 12 points, two rebounds and three assists in defeat.

Completing many roles both as a starter and bench player in her first season, Shelley found momentum in the backend of the year and began to take charge as one of Geelong’s best players.

In her final eight games, Shelley finished with averages of 18.2 points, 4.5 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game. She also led the league in steals with 2.5 a game.

 

FOLLOWING the NBL’s Play-In Tournament decided the final four teams of the finals – Traralgon’s Jack White and Melbourne United play Perth Wildcats in the first round series.

Top-placed Illawarra Hawks play Latrobe Valley partner club South East Melbourne Phoenix in the other pre-championship series.

Game 1 of each three-game series won’t begin until next weekend (United play Wildcats Saturday, February 27) with a momentary FIBA break in between.

The Australian Boomers play two FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in Traralgon this week: tomorrow (February 20) and Sunday (February 23) – with White featuring in the Boomers squad with an anticipated return to his home town.