Round 6 of the 2022-23 WNBL season will showcase a few teams battling for a top four spot, with only the Bendigo Spirit confident in their position. On the other end, the bottom three teams have tough match ups for this round but will continue to fight for an upset.
Game of the Week
The last time the Boomers and Lightning faced off, there was only four points the difference, with Melbourne getting the win at home. In Round 6, the Adelaide Lightning will host the Boomers and will be looking to get one back.
If the Lightning want to secure the win, then defence will need to be the priority. The team has already proven to possess multiple scoring threats -- each game a new player can step up and a few have shown to be consistent. However, this can also be said about the Boomers, which is why the Lightning need to focus on stemming the flow of their offence.
They have good length across the board, with the exceptions of Lauren Mansfield and Abby Cubillo, and they should look to use this advantage to be as disruptive as possible on the defensive end and to really crash the boards.
The Boomers will be feeling confident after their win against the Townsville Fire with ball movement appearing to be key to them getting good looks.
They will have their hands full trying to contain players like Steph Talbot, Izzy Borlase and Keirstan Bell in transition, while also making sure they stop Mansfield getting hot from deep.
Tough double header for Sydney
The Sydney Flames' resilience will need to continue as the fixture hands them another tough double header in Round 6. The Flames have already faced the Bendigo Spirit twice this season, both times coming home the loser, however, the margin was smaller in the second loss.
As much as the Spirit have gone from strength to strength, so have the Flames and they were rewarded with their first win last round. Although the odds are against them to get a win over the Spirit, it could still act as an opportunity for them to challenge the top team and prove to themselves that they are making solid improvements.
This could then lead into their game against the Boomers, where they might have a better chance. Although they lack size in comparison, their aggressive defensive pressure could make up for it.
The Townsville Fire made the Boomers uncomfortable in their game and perhaps the Flames could have a similar impact. If the whole team plays with grit and determination, it could be enough to get them a second win, particularly with their home crowd behind them.
Shaneice Swain a bright light for the struggling Capitals
Fresh from Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence, in her debut WNBL season, Shaneice Swain was likely going to be a bench player behind Jade Melbourne and Gemma Potter. In Round 5, however, she top scored for UC Capitals with 15 points in 21 minutes.
Ever since injuries struck the Caps, this guard has been injected into the starting lineup, been responsible for running the team as point guard, carrying most of the scoring load, and defending some of the best opposition players.
At just 19 years of age, she's become an integral part of the team and will only continue to progress throughout the season. Her team was handed their sixth loss of the season last round and will face the Southside Flyers in Round 6.
It won't be an easy game for the Caps, but with their determined group and the addition of Alison Schwagmeyer-Belger, the Flyers shouldn't dismiss them.