Phillips named WNBL Player of the Week

Adelaide Lightning guard and world champion Erin Phillips has been named the WNBL Player of the Week for Round Six.

Phillips was a key contributor in the Lightning’s back-to-back road wins in Perth and Geraldton over the weekend - scoring 32 points with 18 rebounds, 10 assists and six steals in 69 minutes on court over two games.

“I guess I was in the right place at the right time and I knocked down a few long bombs which is always helpful - and winning the double header makes it even more special,” she said.

“The team is doing really well and we have a positive spirit after last weekend.

“We have a tough, really hard road trip coming up in Townsville and Sydney but we are looking forward to that too.”

The Connecticut Sun player ranks in the top ten in eight of the league’s nine key statistical areas.

“It took me a little bit to get going, but I am starting to become familiar with the team and everyone is starting to click, so it’s really good.”

Other noteworthy performances of Round Six were:

DANDENONG: Larissa Cavanagh was outstanding with 20 points and five rebounds, 19-year-old Jenna O’Hea contributed 18 points and nine rebounds, and Caitlin Ryan scored 13 points, including the match winning three-point basket.

BULLEEN: Six Boomers notched double figures this round - Karen Ashby (18 points and eight rebounds), Hollie Grima (17 points and 12 rebounds), Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe (17 points and three rebounds), Sharin Milner (15 points), Desiree Glaubitz (15 points and four rebounds) and Deanne Butler (10 points and three rebounds).

TOWNSVILLE: Rohanee Cox posted 30 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, two blocked shots and a steal in Townsville’s two losses, while Tania Heritage contributed 28 points, Renae Camino 24 points and Racheal Flanagan 21 points over the two games.

SYDNEY UNI: Alicia Poto posted 13 points with six rebounds and five assists while shutting down Canberra dynamo Jessica Bibby, Eva Afeaki scored 20 points with seven rebounds, four assists, one blocked shot and one steal and was well supported by Nat Porter who had 16 points.

ADELAIDE: Sam Woosnam, Lauren King, Erin Phillips, Kristen Rasmussen, Tracey Gahan and Jess Foley combined to score 67 of Adelaide’s 80 points and 34 of 42 team rebounds in game one against Perth. In game two, Erin Phillips registered her 1000th point for the Lightning on her way to 20 points and nine rebounds while Lauren King chipped in with 13 points and Sam Woosnam and Jessica Foley both scored 11 points each.

PERTH: Forward Carly Wilson continued to lead the Lynx with 41 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocked shots over her two games. Crista Hays had a solid weekend, posting 19 points and 19 rebounds.

Despite those performances, it was Phillips’ stellar back-to-back games against Perth that earned her the award for Round Six Player of the Week.

Congratulations Erin!