Bendigo Spirit leapfrog Lynx to second place in WNBL behind superlative Isobel Borlase

Neither meeting between Bendigo and Perth was close, yet Sunday’s dissection of the Lynx felt like much more of a statement. After the game, Spirit head coach Kennedy Kereama lent insight on what he saw during their bounce back win with The IX:

“I think everyone, obviously, was emotionally charged pregame. We understood that there was a fairly significant milestone. You don’t get to experience that every day. And certainly there’s probably a big part of that that helps, but also preparation and retrospect and learning and review. That’s one thing this group does a great job of. In every situation this season where we haven’t had the outcome that we would have liked to have worked towards, being able to make those adjustments as a group and collectively buy in and then go out and execute a game plan.”

Kereama touched on the egalitarian identity of his unit and mentioned an historic milestone for both Marianna Tolo and Kelsey Griffin. Both players became WNBL life members as they each notched game 250 on Sunday, becoming just the 59th and 60th players to reach this cap in the league’s 44 year history. Each player reflected on bringing a combined 500 games of experience to such a young group with The IX, with Griffin going first:

“I think, for me, it’s the young ones. Especially the group that we have, they’re just such great people. That’s what keeps me going, that’s what makes me want to come to work every day is because we’ve got these very, very talented first year pros or third year pros who have high aspirations. That do the work, that put in the effort and want to be great. And so like, what better gift at 38 than to get to go to work with those young ones every day.”

Tolo then followed: “I guess running down the court when you’re feeling old and tired, you’re grateful you have some of those younger ones that fly down the court for you. And just like Kelsey said, you do it for the whole team, the staff, everyone. For me especially, last year and this year I’ve had to be managed through injuries and all different circumstances and I’m so grateful for their important time and ability to keep me on the court performing at my best. I definitely wouldn’t have that without the support staff we have, so I’m really grateful for that as well.”

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It’s always team-first in Bendigo, something Kereama has established with his staff and vets during his tenure. It’s an environment where players go to thrive, with last season being another perfect example of that. They went 18-3 during the regular season and an invincible 4-0 in the postseason en route to a championship. Their starting backcourt of Veronica Burton and Sami Whitcomb shared in the bounty of All-WNBL teams, MVP and Finals MVP before moving into a WNBA season where they added a Most Improved award, All-Defensive selection and played in the WNBA Finals.

Neither player returned to Australia this season so Bendigo had to find replacements. They replaced Opal Whitcomb with Opal Isobel Borlase and import Burton with import Megan McConnell. The two have been imperative in leading the Spirit to a 5-2 record, as Griffin highlighted:

“I still think Izzy’s best basketball is yet to come. She’s an absolute talent and what I’m really excited about getting to work with Iz is her mindset and her approach to games and putting 40 minutes together or 38 minutes or however many minutes she’s on the court. She’s just such a sponge, she wants to be great, She has high goals, high aspirations. I’m so excited to get to work with her this season. She’s an absolute gun. I’ve said it probably every time I’m asked about her, but I I truly believe her best basketball is ahead of her, which is pretty scary to think considering some of the games she’s putting together.”

Tolo followed suit: “I just think it’s so impressive that she can do that time and time again. Like it’s one thing to have one-off game, but to continuously do that when all the pressure is on you, the best defenders on you, game plans are being game planned around you. It’s just impressive —”

“And at 21 as well,” Griffin interjected.

“Exactly,” Tolo continued. “So yeah, like Kelsey said, I can’t wait to see what the future brings as well.”

As is often the case with this team, they were all aligned again, with Kereama echoing the sentiment: “You’re only really seeing the tip of the iceberg, this kid could do anything. She’s just incredibly talented but has the mindset and work ethic and hunger to go and achieve absolutely anything. For us and the type of people that we have in our team, particularly our leadership, we really enjoy being around people like that and our whole group’s like that which makes it fun because every day is a learning opportunity.”

The Spirit have a palpable duty of care that’s rife throughout the organisation. Whether it’s on court leaders, coaches or staff, there’s a consistent model of doing things the right way. There’s a clear intention of making the experience a potent one. It has become a trademark of the team and has allowed players to reach new heights. Isobel Borlase is no different. She spoke with The IX about how her expectations with Bendigo have been met so far:

“It’s been better than what I had anticipated. The team environment that Bendigo provided me with KG and Tolo, they played their 250th today. Just being able to play under them, their wisdom that they’ve shared with our group is second to none. The environment that they’ve created for all of us to thrive in has just been amazing.”

Aside from Geelong Venom import Mackenzie Holmes, Borlase is an early contender for MVP. The 21-year-old is averaging 22 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.3 steals, shooting 46% from the field and 89.3% from the free throw line. She’s second in both points and steals and fifth in free throws (minimum 10 made free throws). Borlase is almost confused at how she’s keeping up the early production, sharing:

“I don’t know, honestly. It’s just a credit to the environment that I’m in, to be honest. I guess I showed glimpses of that in Adelaide and probably a lack of consistency of perhaps putting scores on the board. But it’s just my teammates like KG and Tolo, the screens that they’re setting me, like, I cannot give them enough credit. The success that I’m having is they’re putting me in positions to be successful. The guards are finding me the ball. So I think it’s just the environment that I’m in and the people around me who are giving me the ball.”

Her humility comes naturally and the selfless identity that plagues the Spirit is an innate fit. Borlase understands her function within the team and as much as she gets out, she puts in. When prompted on the early season consistency, Borlase did speak on her individual experience:

“I’ve matured from last year. I think there’s been experiences away with the Opals in the off season and moving away to Melbourne. I think that put me in positions to say ‘okay, I need to work on these things.’ I went away to the Asia Cup and, as far as my performances, I think that there were areas that I needed to work on and Bendigo’s been the place for me to work on them. I’ve been doing indy’s (one-on-one, individual training sessions) with Kennedy as far as skill work goes and reading the game and doing film. So I think there’s been lots of different things that have probably contributed to my success so far.”

Of course, she couldn’t go on without credited the team, “but at the end of the day, the team’s winning as well. So I think it’s super positive that I’m doing well, but the team’s doing well as well and that’s all I can ask for.”

Australian basketball fans know Isobel Borlase’s growth over the past year and a half cannot be described as anything other than exponential. As a teenager, she was drafted by the Atlanta Dream and won bronze as an Opal at the Paris Olympics. Since those accolades, her on court play has matured tenfold. She blends the trophy cabinet of a player in their late 20’s, the maturity of a vet in their 30’s and the potential of someone who just turned 21. If she joined the WNBA in the upcoming season, she would still be younger than most draftees.

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As she continues to grow, she navigates what her role as a leader looks like. At this juncture of the season, she’s the premier guard in the WNBL; a league with Jade Melbourne. She understands but is understated when discussing that superior play comes with increased responsibility:

“It’s different and I kind of like it because I there’s an element for me to lead on this team. But, KG and Tolo, that’s why I came here, because I knew that I would be under them and I’d be learning from them. And I’m still working out with my leadership is, it’s definitely not the loudest on the court. It’s probably leading by example and just doing the little things to help my team get over the line. Something that KG’s harped on a lot is personal connection and getting to know people beyond the basketball court and I think it shows, we genuinely love being around each other. I’m definitely not on her level of connecting with people, but I think something that I really value is getting to know my teammates and playing for each other because it’s more than just basketball.”

It’s such a poetic note to finish on. It encapsulates her appetite to learn, her self-awareness and her quiet confidence while contextualising that her game is evolving. No challenge is too big for Borlase and leadership is an imminent role that she’s getting familiar with in her own way. Leading by example is an excellent avenue for a player with her output. It’s merely the beginning for Isobel Borlase and Australia is eager to ride the wave with her.