Feature image via: Judd Green
While they have automatically advanced to the Semi Finals, the Northside Wizards will not take this break for granted.
Defeating the Brisbane Capitals 97-75 last Friday, the defending champions locked up the top spot and have automatically avoided the Quarter Finals against some dangerous teams.
With a near quadruple-double of 27 points, 16 assists, eight rebounds and five steals, Erin Bollmann’s impact on this team has been outstanding all season – resulting in Bollmann being named to the NBL1 North First Team and the back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year last night.
Related: 2024 NBL1 Awards Tracker
Speaking with Jon Guarna post-game, Bollmann explained the team will not get complacent this weekend with the break.
“We are just going to approach it just like every week,” she said.
“We are going to train really hard with our practices, we are actually going to play a game on the weekend. So it’s not two weeks off without playing, it’s up to us how we bring our mentality and bring our A-game in the Semi-Finals.”
With the unfortunate news of guard Kelsey McDermott suffering an ACL injury, Bollmann’s squad will have to rally to ensure the season finishes with back-to-back titles.
“That killed us, it makes me sad to have Kelsey leaving,” she said.
“We came together as a team without them, and I think we should make them proud of that.”
We’ll find out the Wizards’ opponent this weekend, so make sure to tune into the NBL1 North conference finals from Friday live and free via NBL1.com.au, NBL1 App and Kayo Freebies.
