Young gun McSpadden re-signs with the Flames
Brydens Sydney Uni Flames are excited to announce the re-signing of 19-year old Novocastrian, Lara McSpadden.
The third-year centre picked up the Most Improved Player at the Flames 2018-19 Awards following a solid season in which she stepped up in the absence of Alex Bunton due to injury.
McSpadden averaged 4.6 points and 3.7 rebounds in just 13.4 minutes per game to provide vital support off the bench in a team that struggled with injuries all season.
“We’re excited to have Lara with the Flames again as she is a talented, young athlete who was able to grow and develop on and off the court last season with the opportunities that came her way,” new head coach, Katrina Hibbert said.
“I’m looking forward to working with Lara to see her game continue to mature and develop at the elite level.”
McSpadden is known as an enthusiastic, hardworking member of the group with a genuine thirst for knowledge, this year pursuing her tertiary studies at the University of Sydney in conjunction with basketball.
We look forward to seeing Lara take the court with the Newcastle Hunters in the off-season, and returning to Brydens Stadium with the Flames later this year.
Tupaea commits to Flames for 2019-20
Adding a huge piece to the Brydens Sydney Uni Flames playing puzzle, the Flames are pleased to announce Tahlia Tupaea has re-signed for the 2019-20 WNBL season.
Following a difficult last season riddled with two bouts of injury, first a concussion which sidelined the starting guard for four weeks, and later, a knee injury, Tupaea remained one of the most crucial members of the Sydney squad, starting all 15 games in which she appeared and averaging 13.7 pts pg.
One of the “toughest backcourt players in the league to guard,” she received the Flames 2018-19 Coaches’ Award and will be looking to again dominate under new head coach, Katrina Hibbert.
“Tahlia is a young and exciting guard who has a natural ability to score at will but also shows poise and leadership beyond her years,” Hibbert said.
“She is developing into being one of the top point guards in Australia and we’re looking forward to have her back with the Flames to showcase her talent once again.”
With recently re-signed Flames player, Alex Wilson, the Minnesota Lynx draft pick will make her first senior appearance in Australian colours in 2019 as part of the 22-player Opals squad named to prepare for the 2019 FIBA women’s Asia Cup and Olympic and World Cup qualifying events.
She will also suit up for USC Rip City in QBL during the off-season.
Flames re-sign Alex Wilson
Brydens Sydney Uni Flames have begun crafting their 2019-20 WNBL playing roster with the re-signing of Alex Wilson.
Entering her fifth season at the Flames, Wilson has firmly cemented her spot in the group, contributing enormously during the difficult 2018-19 season.
Despite being sidelined due to injury for a large portion of the season, Wilson averaged 12.6pts pg (126 total; 66 of which came from threes), 3.3 rpg at 38 per cent from the field, and provided a great deal of energy, creativity and of course, scoring-ability.
“We’re excited to have Alex back with the Flames for another season as she has established herself as a core member and leader within the club,” new Head Coach, Katrina Hibbert said.
“She has the versatility to be a combo guard, a natural ability to score and is a great defensive presence which all fits well with the brand of basketball I want us to play.”
“Sydney is home to me now and I’m excited to be returning to the Flames”, Wilson added.
“I’m looking forward to learning under the new head coach Katrina Hibbert and continue to improve my game as much as I can.”
Wilson will take her talent to Victoria in the off-season to compete in the new NBL1 competition with Diamond Valley.
She will also make her first senior appearance in Australian colours in 2019 alongside Tupaea, as part of the 22-player Opals squad named to prepare for the 2019 FIBA women’s Asia Cup and Olympic and World Cup qualifying events.
