In Round 6 we saw games that we thought would be blow outs, be close, and games we thought would be close, be blow outs! It just goes to show how competitive the league is and that every team needs to bring their best each round.
Sydney Flames put the league on notice
Despite the Sydney Flames finishing the round zero wins from two games, the losses were incredibly encouraging, and should have higher-ranked teams worried. Sitting second last on the ladder, the Flames very nearly pulled off the upset of the season in their game against the undefeated Bendigo Spirit.
It was an incredible game to watch, both teams were fierce in their individual match ups, which made for some exciting contests. Ally Wilson and Shyla Heal went at it, along with the Froling sisters and pretty much everyone on court.
The Flames clearly had a game plan regarding stopping Anneli Maley, Kiera Rowe was given the task and was impressive in her performance. Maley still posted 14 points and seven rebounds, but only three of those rebounds were offensive, a stat she is usually most dangerous in.
Although all her efforts might not appear on the stat sheet, Rowe was crucial to the Flames ability to compete. This was the same against the Boomers, and the same could be said for Emma Clarke. These two players add an important element defensively and when confident can be valuable on the offensive end as well. They are a good size to defend well and beat slower bigs off the dribble.
It was clear that the Flames had the intention of crashing the boards, as they are not a tall team, in their game against the Melbourne Boomers, they held them to five offensive boards and retained 30 defensive rebounds.
It is all a part of their aggressive play style, they get up the floor with active hands and a physical presence, then they maintain that pressure in the half, fighting over screens and doing their best to annoy their opposition.
As a team they have been building on this throughout the season and this round we saw it come to fruition and almost pay off. If this level of defensive intensity continues, and they find a way to finish a game offensively, then they are sure to cause many upsets.
Steph Reid keeping players on their toes
What a season this point guard is having for herself! Leading her team from the front, she is causing havoc across the board and is challenging the best of the best.
For many, her short stature is seen as a disadvantage, but for Reid, it seems to be the advantage; her change of pace, swift movements to the basket and ability to draw fouls makes her a tough player to guard.
Reid makes it look easy, whether she snakes a screen and weaves to the basket, gaining and and-one on the tallest player, pulling up from midrange or just stepping into a three, she can do it all, and that was obvious in her game against the Perth Lynx.
Top scoring for the game -- a game that featured Opals point guard Sami Whitcomb -- with 27 points, you would think she didn't have time to get her teammates involved, but she did, dishing out nine assists.
She doesn't do any crazy moves; she plays strategically and uses her basketball IQ to beat her opponents. Half the entertainment of the game was watching them try to keep up with her.
Boomers continue to reach new heights
In a game that was anticipated to be a lot closer, the performance fell short. Well, it may not seem that way if you're a Melbourne Boomers fan as they took out the Adelaide Lightning, winning by 25 points in Adelaide. With the Boomers being down a key starter in Tiff Mitchell, the Lightning looked to be at an advantage. Little did they know that Miela Goodchild would go 5/5 from deep and that Cayla George would be two assists shy of a triple double.
This Boomers team has shown they have the power to step up when faced with adversity, it's hard to believe that Tess Madgen still isn't back from injury. Who knows what they will be capable of with her back in the line-up.
Results
Bendigo Spirit 85-75 Sydney Flames
Melbourne Boomers 73-63 Sydney Flames
Townsville Fire 98-85 Perth Lynx
Southside Flyers 92-72 UC Capitals
Melbourne Boomers 89-64 Adelaide Lightning