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Breaking Down the Latest Australia WNBL Season Updates and Key Player Performances
2025-11-17 13:00
As I sit down to analyze the latest developments in the Australia WNBL season, I can't help but reflect on how this league continues to surprise me year after year. Having followed women's basketball across multiple continents for over a decade, I've developed a particular fondness for the WNBL's unique blend of emerging talent and seasoned professionals. This season has been particularly fascinating, not just for the on-court performances but for the strategic shifts we're witnessing across multiple teams. What strikes me most is how the league has evolved from being primarily development-focused to becoming a genuine destination for world-class talent.
The current season has seen some remarkable individual performances that deserve closer examination. Just last week, I was reviewing game footage from the Southside Flyers versus Perth Lynx matchup, and the statistical output from some players was simply staggering. Rachel Banham's 28-point performance against Melbourne stands out in my memory as one of the most efficient shooting displays I've seen this year - she went 10 for 16 from the field and 5 for 8 from beyond the arc. These numbers aren't just impressive on paper; they demonstrate a level of shot selection and court awareness that separates good players from great ones. What I find particularly compelling about Banham's game is her ability to create space in traffic, something that's become increasingly valuable in today's physical defensive landscape.
While analyzing these standout performances, I can't help but draw parallels to other leagues worldwide. The reference to Juegos scoring 16 points in Choco Mucho's preseason game reminds me of how global basketball has become. We're seeing similar patterns emerge across different competitions - the emphasis on versatile guards who can both score and facilitate, the growing importance of three-point shooting even in traditionally post-dominated leagues, and the strategic value of having multiple scoring threats on the floor simultaneously. In my professional opinion, this trend toward positionless basketball is what makes leagues like the WNBL so exciting to follow. The way teams are constructing their rosters now reflects a fundamental shift in how coaches view player roles and offensive systems.
Looking at team performances this season, I've noticed several strategic adjustments that warrant discussion. The University of Canberra Capitals have been particularly innovative with their defensive schemes, often switching between zone and man-to-man coverage within the same possession. This flexibility has yielded impressive results - they're currently holding opponents to just 72.3 points per game, which places them among the top three defensive teams in the league. From my perspective as someone who's studied defensive systems across multiple leagues, what makes the Capitals' approach so effective is how they've tailored their strategy to their personnel. They don't have the traditional shot-blocking center that many successful defensive teams feature, so they've compensated with aggressive perimeter defense and well-timed double teams.
The development of younger players in the WNBL continues to impress me season after season. Take Gemma Potter from the Townsville Fire - her improvement from last season to this one has been remarkable. She's increased her scoring average from 8.7 points per game to 14.2, while also improving her three-point percentage from 32% to nearly 39%. These aren't just incremental improvements; they represent a significant leap in her development as a professional basketball player. What I find most encouraging about Potter's growth is how she's expanded her game beyond just scoring. Her assist numbers have climbed from 2.1 to 3.8 per game, indicating she's becoming more comfortable creating for others alongside her own scoring.
As we approach the midpoint of the season, several intriguing storylines are developing that could shape the championship picture. The Sydney Flames' recent acquisition of American import Jessica Johnson has already paid dividends, with the team winning four of their last five games since her arrival. Johnson's stat line in her most recent outing - 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks - demonstrates the immediate impact she's had on both ends of the floor. In my view, this type of mid-season reinforcement can completely alter a team's trajectory, providing not just additional scoring but changing how opponents must prepare for them strategically. The Flames now present a different challenge than they did just a month ago, with Johnson's interior presence opening up additional opportunities for their perimeter players.
The international flavor of the WNBL continues to be one of its greatest strengths, in my opinion. Watching players from different basketball backgrounds adapt to the Australian style of play provides fascinating insights into how the game evolves globally. I've particularly enjoyed observing how European players have integrated into various team systems this season. Their fundamentally sound approach to the game often complements the more athletic, up-tempo style we typically associate with Australian basketball. This fusion of styles creates a product that's both entertaining and strategically diverse, something I believe sets the WNBL apart from many other professional leagues.
As we look ahead to the remainder of the season, several key matchups could determine playoff positioning. The upcoming series between Melbourne and Perth features two teams with contrasting styles that should make for compelling basketball. Melbourne's methodical, half-court offense will test Perth's transition defense, while Perth's up-tempo approach could challenge Melbourne's conditioning. Having studied both teams extensively, I'm leaning toward Melbourne in this particular matchup, largely because of their superior depth and more experienced coaching staff. Their ability to maintain defensive intensity through all four quarters gives them an edge in what promises to be a physically demanding contest.
Reflecting on the season so far, what stands out to me is the overall improvement in offensive efficiency across the league. Teams are shooting a collective 44.7% from the field, up from 42.3% last season, while three-point percentage has climbed from 33.1% to 35.4%. These improvements reflect both better shooting and more sophisticated offensive systems that create higher-quality looks. The game is clearly evolving, and the WNBL appears to be at the forefront of this offensive revolution in women's basketball. As someone who values strategic innovation, I find this development particularly exciting and look forward to seeing how it influences the game globally in the coming years.
The WNBL continues to demonstrate why it remains one of the premier women's basketball leagues worldwide. Between the emerging talent, strategic innovations, and competitive balance, there's never been a more exciting time to follow Australian women's basketball. While I have my personal favorites among teams and players, what truly matters is the overall quality and entertainment value the league provides. Based on what we've seen so far this season, the championship race appears wide open, with at least five teams having legitimate claims to contention. This parity makes every game meaningful and ensures that fans are treated to high-stakes basketball throughout the season.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
