Rising Star Izzy Borlase Eyes WNBL Finals and Opals Call-Up
Fresh off an incredible achievement – becoming the youngest WNBL MVP in 15 years – Australian basketball prodigy Izzy Borlase is already setting her sights on the next challenge. The 21-year-old sensation is preparing for her first taste of WNBL finals action with the Bendigo Spirit, a team known for its youthful and largely inexperienced roster. Their campaign kicks off this Saturday against the formidable Perth Lynx.
While Borlase is keen to make her mark in the post-season, her focus is also split, with a significant international commitment on the horizon. Just days after the WNBL finals conclude, she’ll be jetting off to Turkey to represent the Australian Opals in the World Cup Qualifiers, commencing on March 11th. Although the Opals have already secured their spot in the main tournament, scheduled for September in Germany, Borlase understands the importance of a strong finals performance in solidifying her place in the national squad.
“I’m so grateful to have received the award, but now I’m just happy to turn that page and hopefully be more focused on the task at hand,” Borlase shared. “If we were to go all the way to the championship round, that’s the most ideal scenario in the sense of playing basketball until we have to leave. The more games I can play, the better the preparation. I want to be game fit, have the right touch, so I’m super happy to be in the finals.”
However, the path to a second consecutive grand final appearance for Borlase and the Bendigo Spirit is far from straightforward. This season’s Spirit squad presents a stark contrast to last year’s star-studded lineup, which featured seasoned veterans like Sami Whitcomb, Marianna Tolo, and Veronica Burton. This year, a significant portion of Bendigo’s top six players – four to be exact – are making their finals debut.
Facing Formidable Opposition in the Lynx
The Spirit’s first hurdle is the title-contending Perth Lynx, a team boasting an impressive lineup. The Lynx have a strong representation in the WNBL’s elite, with four of their players earning selections to either the All-WNBL first or second team. Furthermore, their entire starting five possesses significant experience, having either competed in WNBL semi-finals or represented their countries on the World Cup stage.
Adding to Bendigo’s challenge, they have stumbled in their recent outings, losing their last three games. This includes a significant 88-64 defeat to the Perth Lynx on February 1st. Despite these odds and the team’s relative inexperience, Borlase remains optimistic. She insists that the Spirit are “right there” and capable of competing.
“We’ve been implementing things and habits to put us in the right position to compete in the finals, particularly against a more experienced Perth team,” she explained. “We don’t have too many expectations on ourselves to do anything too amazing. It’s probably on them.”
Lynx Not Taking Anything for Granted
Across the court, Perth’s Ally Wilson is mindful of the potential threat posed by the Bendigo Spirit, refusing to view the series as a foregone conclusion. Despite having defeated Bendigo three times this season, Wilson stressed the importance of avoiding complacency.
“We’ve had a lot of adversity as a team this season with injuries and then Han Xu coming in. We’ve taken a while to get to our best basketball and are peaking at the right end of the season,” Wilson commented. “They’ll have a good week of training under their belts, so we’ve got to make sure that we’re taking care of the things that we can take care of.”
The WNBL finals promise an intriguing contest, with the young and hungry Bendigo Spirit, led by their MVP Izzy Borlase, aiming to defy expectations against the seasoned Perth Lynx. Simultaneously, Borlase’s personal journey continues, with the Opals jersey awaiting her as she looks to build on her already impressive season.
