Bendigo’s perfect season – so far

The Champions IGA Bendigo Braves Women completed their perfect unbeaten 2023 NBL1 season with two strong performances on the weekend.

Bendigo racked up the stats in a convincing demolition of long-time rivals Ballarat at Red Energy Arena on Saturday night.

League MVP favourite Meg McKay was on the war path early, hitting the first two points of the game with 13 seconds on the clock and dropping a further nine in the first term.

Bendigo’s 29-17 first quarter lead jumped out to 23 in the second, with McKay doubling her first-quarter tally and the Braves showing the world the form that led them to 22-straight wins.

Amy Atwell took over the scoring responsibilities with 14 points in the third term, as Bendigo went into the final quarter 26 points to the good.

A much-needed rest by McKay in the last quarter didn’t impact the result, with Bendigo winning  91-75.

McKay finished with an astonishing 35 points and 17 rebounds. Atwell hit 24 points, with Kelly Wilson completing yet another tripe double, ending the game with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists.

The Braves travelled to Knox the next day to take on a quality Raiders outfit. The home side started well with a six-point lead early.

After that, the first quarter belonged to Atwell, who ended the term with an astonishing 16 points to help Bendigo to a 31-23 quarter-time lead.

Tight second and third quarters meant the game was anyone’s leading into the last, and when Knox hit the lead with just over four minutes to go, an upset was in the offing.

But, as the Braves have done all season when challenged, they fought back, and fought back hard.

A timeout was followed by stifling Bendigo defence and six straight Braves points – including four from Wilson – putting the match out of reach for Knox.

Bendigo ran out winners 98-94, capping off the perfect home and away season.

McKay was again dominant, with 29 points and 18 rebounds up against Bendigo Spirit team mate Alicia Froling.

Atwell (26 points), Kasey Burton (15), Cassidy McLean (13), and Wilson (11), highlighted the dominant performance from the Bendigo starting five. As did the 19-0 fast-break points for the game.

Coach Mark Alabakov said he was proud his team was making progress each game.

“What we have done this year is almost unprecedented. What we have achieved rarely happens,” he said.

“It’s really impressive, and we need to celebrate that. But we are not outcome driven. We want to be process oriented and keep that process going through the finals.

“All you can ask for is progress, and we have been delivering.”

Alabakov said playing against two sides that were out of finals contention made for a different kind of challenge.

“We played two teams whose seasons were over, which meant they played freely and without conscience,” he said.

“Teams are always dangerous when there are no consequences and it’s really hard to guard that freedom.

“But we were able to respond quickly and put things in place as soon as any runs started.

“We obviously go into the finals happy. We have found a reasonable balance between playing the impact players and giving opportunities to Braves players coming through this season, which is a big bonus.”

Photo - Craig Dilks Photography