Flyers complete redemption arc; Samoa's Aukoso shines

GOLD COAST (Australia) - Jayco Southside Flyers claimed their throne as queens of the Chemist Warehouse Women’s National Basketball League after defeating JCU Townsville Fire in the Grand Finals, 99-82 inside a semi-bubble setting at the North Queensland.

It’s the third title for the Southside’s storied squad and a sweet redemption after a bridesmaid finish last year against the UC Capitals.

Leilani Mitchell shone the brightest for the Flyers with a 31-point eruption in their 17-point win to win the Finals MVP. It was her second Rachel Sporn Medal after anchoring Brydens Sydney Uniflames to the championship in 2017.

Mitchell was not alone in Southside’s conquest as Liz Cambage tallied 14 points, six rebounds, a steal, and a block en route to an All-WNBA First Team selection.

Despite a runner-up finish, the Fire have also nothing to be ashamed of after racking up most individual awards including the Sixth Woman of the Year that went to Zitina Aukoso, who traced her proud roots to Samoa.

For 16 games off the bench, the 22-year-old rising star normed 9.6 markers, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists on a 54-percent field-goal including a 21-point explosion against Bendigo Spirit in the preliminary round.

In the Finals against Southside, she contributed eight points, three rebounds, an assist, a block, and a steal in only 19 minutes of play.

In a previous WNBL article, Aukoso shared her pride in representing Samoa in no less than one of the most elite women’s leagues in the world.

“I am a proud Samoan. There’s a word that I always try to remember ‘Fa’a Samoa’ meaning, the Samoan Way – trying to maintain the Samoa way everywhere I go is important,” said Aukoso, whose parents are from Faleasi'u, one of the largest village settlements located in the northwestern coast in Upolu, Samoa.

“It reminds me to seek God, that no matter where I am in this world, I’m connected to my family, to be humble, have respect, work hard, to love and be kind.”

Apart from Aukoso, Shannon Seebohm was also hailed as the WNBL Coach of the Year while Shyla Heal has been named Betty Watson Australian Youth Player of the Year.

Adelaide Lightning’s Steph Talbot was recognized as the WNBL’s Season Most Valuable Player behind averages of 18. 2 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 13 games.

Other awardees were Perth Lynx’s Katie Ebzery, Deakin Melbourne Boomers’ Cayla George, and Southside’s Lauren Nicholson, who joined Talbot and Cambage in the WNBL First-Team.

Second-Team members were Deakin’s Ezi Magbegor and Tess Madgen, Southside’s Sara Blicavs, Townsville’s Heal, and UC’s Maddy Rocci.

FIBA