Our favourite annual series is back as we ask WBBL Coaches to identify five players they believe deserve some recognition for their efforts this season.

They may not always be those challenging for awards, but they have impressed our play-callers. We start with Leicester Riders’ Matt Harber, who has just guided his side to their best ever WBBL finish of second place

Rheanne Bailey (Manchester Mystics)

Maybe I¹m a little biased because Rheanne is someone I¹ve known for a long time now, but I can say it’s definitely better to have her on your team as opposed to playing against her! She brings her renowned toughness and tenacity every night and has really stepped up to be a leader for the Mystics this year. Not just a leader who says the right things, but a leader who delivers consistently. She has played with a great deal of confidence and has done whatever Coach [Jeff] Jones needed her to do in what has been a really successful transitional year for the Mystics programme!

Anne Pedersen (Sevenoaks Suns)

Having been on the receiving end of Pedersen¹s efficiency many times this year, I have to credit her. She is like a silent assassin who finds a way to kill you when you are least expecting it. She brings offensive rebounding, accurate jump shooting and most of all, has great timing and an innate feel for the game. Pedersen is the type of player you could put into any team in the WBBL and she would improve their roster immediately. Her consistently and stability has really helped Coach [Len] Busch and the Suns in delivering a really successful 2016-17 campaign.

Alex Smith (Leicester Riders)

I don¹t usually like talking about my own players in these ‘High Five’ features, but I think it¹s hard not to give Alex the credit she truly deserves. Alex is playing the best basketball of her career and her attitude towards her own growth and development is refreshing. She has grown up a lot and worked hard to be playing at the level she is right now. The improvement between 2015-16 and this season is really impressive. Alex is without doubt one of the premier playmakers in the league and has been one of the key catalysts in our success this season. Alex is one of the few players in the league who can score, rebound and make those around her better.

Alison Gorrell (Team Northumbria)

A lot of attention has been put on the injury ridden season Northumbria have had – something I can sympathise with. But Coach Bunten has done a great job to keep his players motivated and continuing to perform. At the heart of that has been Alison Gorrell, who has been carrying so much of the load for her team. She has had to play every role imaginable for Northumbria and holds herself so professionally on the court. Her consistent positive demeanour and never say die attitude, have been the key ingredients for Team Northumbria maintaining sixth spot with a 10-8 record. Something which given their injury status and competitive nature of the league – is impressive!

Brittany Winborne (Westfield Health Sheffield Hatters)

Despite Sheffield finishing outside of the top four, one player who has always produced has been Brittany Winborne. The American centre is relentless and just knows how to rebound! She averages just shy of five offensive rebounds per game (in around 26 mins) which is exceptional given she¹s only 6ft tall – if that! Winborne¹s physicality and
no-nonsense approach has been a natural fit for the Hatters this season.?

You can follow Coach Harber on Twitter