{"id":98432,"date":"2024-02-27T21:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-27T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swishappeal.com\/2024\/2\/27\/24084378\/fiba-wnbl-semi-final-preview-fire-lynx-flyers-boomers-sami-whitcomb-jordin-canada-mercedes-russell"},"modified":"2024-02-27T21:00:00","modified_gmt":"2024-02-27T21:00:00","slug":"wnbl-semi-final-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gamefootballmobileanimeiphone.com\/index.php\/2024\/02\/27\/wnbl-semi-final-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"WNBL semi-final preview"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n \"WNBL
Led by Sami Whitcomb, the Townsville Fire are favored to win a second-straight WNBL championship. | Photo by Ian Hitchcock\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Matchups for the WNBL semi-finals are set. The No. 1 seed Townsville Fire will face the No. 4 seed Perth Lynx and the No. 2 seed Southside Flyers will square off against the No. 3 seed Melbourne Boomers. <\/p>\n

It came down to the final day of the WNBL regular season, but the postseason seeding is set.<\/p>\n

The No. 1 seed Townsville Fire (14-7) will face the No. 4 seed Perth Lynx (11-10) and the No. 2 seed Southside Flyers (13-8) will face the No. 3 seed Melbourne Boomers (12-9) in the semi-finals. The Flyers-Boomers best-of-three series will tip off on Wednesday, while the Fire-Lynx series is set for Thursday. <\/p>\n

Townsville Fire vs. Perth Lynx<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Townsville Fire (14-7) should be the heavy favorite in their semi-final matchup against the Perth Lynx (11-10). The Fire hold the best record in the league, and defeated the Lynx by double-digits all three times the teams faced off this season. <\/p>\n

\n \"WNBL
\n Photo by Ian Hitchcock\/Getty Images<\/cite>
The Fire\u2019s Zitina Aokuso looks to put the ball in the basket during her team\u2019s victory over the Lynx in early January. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Fire have five players who average double digits led by Sami Whitcomb, who\u2019s averaging 14.5 points per game and was just named to the All WNBL Second Team. Whitcomb will face her former team in this matchup. Courtney Woods also has been outstanding for Townsville, averaging 13.4 points on 51.3 percent shooting, along with 4.5 rebounds per game. Stephanie Reid (12.7 points per game), Zitina Aokuso (12.2 points) and Alice Kunek (11.2 point) round out the Fire\u2019s top scorers. The group has meshed well this season, with head coach Shannon Sheebohm receiving Coach of the Year honors. <\/p>\n

The Lynx are led by Amy Atwell and Aari McDonald, both of whom were named to the WNBL Second Team. McDonald has averaged 19.8 points per game on 46.2 percent shooting and 5.5 assists per game, and containing her will be key to the Fire\u2019s efforts to dominate the Lynx. Atwell also has had a strong season, averaging 17.9 points per game on 40.7 percent shooting. At full strength, the Fire have been tough to beat all season, and should be tough for the Lynx to overcome. However, if Atwell and McDonald continue their strong play, the Lynx should have a chance to upset the defending champions. <\/p>\n

Regular season results: <\/p>\n

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Nov. 25<\/a>: Fire over Lynx, 92-76<\/p>\n

Dec. 31<\/a>: Fire over Lynx, 87-64<\/p>\n

Jan. 3<\/a>: Fire over Lynx, 104-91<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Southside Flyers vs. Melbourne Boomers<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In a rematch from last year\u2019s semi-final, the No. 2 seed Flyers will once again face the No. 3 seed Boomers. This one should be a close one, as all three games between the two teams were decided by single digits this season. Melbourne took the first two, with Southside coming out on top in the most recent matchup on Jan. 20. Last year, the Flyers defeated the Boomers in three games, but then proceeded to lose 2-0 to the Fire in the Grand Final. <\/p>\n

\n \"WNBL
\n Photo by Graham Denholm\/Getty Images<\/cite>
WNBL MVP Jordin Canada navigates the Southside defense during Melbourne\u2019s late January win.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Boomers have been led by Jordin Canada, who was named MVP for the 2023-24 season. Naz Hillmon also has been huge for them, contributing 15.1 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. Keely Froling has added 12.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. For the Flyers, Mercedes Russell\u201415.2 points on 56.7 percent shooting and 9.5 rebounds per game\u2014and Bec Cole\u201413.3 points per game\u2014have been excellent. Who comes out victorious in this one is a toss up given how tight all three contests were this year. If Canada continues her standout season, she could help the Boomers get revenge for last year\u2019s playoff exit and come out on top.<\/p>\n

Regular season results: <\/p>\n

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Nov 4<\/a>: Boomers over Flyers, 77-70<\/p>\n

Jan 3<\/a>: Boomers over Flyers, 67-61<\/p>\n

Jan 20<\/a>: Flyers over Boomers, 84-82<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The winners of each series will face off in the best-of-three Grand Final. All postseason games are available to stream for free through the WNBA App. <\/p>\n

WNBL Awards<\/strong><\/h2>\n

On Sunday, WNBL awards were announced, with Jordin Canada of the Melbourne Boomers taking home the biggest honor of the night: MVP. Canada, who completed a sign-and-trade to the Atlanta Dream earlier this month, is averaged 15.2 points and 7.6 assists per game during the regular season<\/p>\n

The rest of the award winners were: <\/p>\n

Sixth Woman of the Year: <\/strong>Leilani Mitchell, Southside Flyers<\/p>\n

Defensive Player of the Year: <\/strong>Lauren Nicholson, Sydney Flames<\/p>\n

Breakout Player of the Year: <\/strong>Alex Sharp, UC Capitals<\/p>\n

Coach of the Year: <\/strong>Shannon Sheebohm, Townsville Fire<\/p>\n

Fan MVP: <\/strong>Jade Melbourne, UC Capitals<\/p>\n

All WNBL First Team:<\/strong><\/p>\n