Bendigo Women continue outstanding run

After 20 and 40-point wins the week before, there aren’t many teams that would be looking to improve.

But the Champions IGA Bendigo Braves Women aren’t just any team, and coach Mark Alabakov was happy with his side’s “improvement” during their two comprehensive away wins on the weekend.

Bendigo defeated Geelong 107-88 on Friday night, before travelling to Casey and repeating the dose, winning 114 to 84.

It was classic Bendigo basketball early at The Geelong Arena, with Meg McKay completing a double-double just after quarter time, and the Braves defense strangling United’s classy scorers.

When Geelong challenged throughout the game, Bendigo responded, with Amy Atwell a class above, finishing with 33 points. McKay ended the night with 24 points and 18 rebounds.

The Atwell masterclass continued in a fast-paced opening quarter against Casey on Sunday afternoon, the guard dropping 17 points in the opening term without missing.

The Braves’ offense was outstanding all game, with the third-quarter transition ball close to the best it has ever been.

Atwell (35 points from 26 minutes), McKay (22), and Kasey Burton (17) kept the scorers busy, but the entire team was outstanding.

“We spent the past week working on defense and scramble situations, and we made adjustments this weekend faster than we did in the first round,” Alabakov said.

“We simplified our offense – our transition basketball, high-percentage shots in half court, and our secondary actions – and that showed on the scoreboard this weekend.

“That was the difference going from 90 points last week to 107 and 114 this weekend.

“For the most part, I am very happy, but we still need to get better at the defensive end and strive to get more improvement with what we offer.”

Alabakov made a point of singling out his bench players, who contributed 29 points against Casey.

“At the end of the day, our strength is our depth, and the opposition can have the confidence that we legitimately go eight or 10-deep and all can impact the game,” he said.

“Kasey was outstanding today, and so was Madi Sexton.

“The roles they both played, the energy and enthusiasm they brought, and the impact they had at both ends as a result was exceptional.”

Photo - Craig Dilks Photograohy