Our favourite annual series continues 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 will have certainly impressed our play-callers. Next on our magnificent meander through the league is  Team Northumbria coach, Chris Bunten.

Ashley Harris (Nottingham Wildcats)

First in my high five is arguably the most dominant player in the league and she has been for the last two seasons! She has been the main reason Nottingham have won back-to-back league championships. Harris has proven game after game, she is a force to be reckoned with, finding herself top of many of the league leaders categories: scoring, defensive rebounding, drawing personal fouls, field goals made and these are just to name a few and not even mentioning the categories she is sat 2nd place in. Over the course of the season, Ashley has got better and better and although teams draw up game pans to slow her down, she will go about her business of casually getting a double double! If you try to pack in the paint, she will gladly take the perimeter shot and if you chase her off the line, she moves so well and seals aggressively, leaving an inevitable result. Not only is Ashley a fantastic player, but she comes across as such a nice person and is always very respectful to her team-mates and competitors. It is safe to say that Harris is not only the marquee player for Nottingham, she is the marquee player in the WBBL.
Judit Fritz (Cardiff Met Archers)

My next player is someone who holds the same role as Ashley Harris – being the leader on her team. However, it has been a tough few seasons for her club. In my opinion, Fritz is the best scorer in the league – some of the shots she takes leave me wondering how they go in, but she has the uncanny ability to do it time and time again. What would be a tough shot for most players is just the usual for Judit. She has an unbelievable knack to create enough space to get her shot away and does it effortlessly. She has demonstrated every season she is a great team mate as opponents games-plans are clearly to get the ball out of her hands. She never does ‘too much’ and trusts her team – if doubled she shares the ball to the people who are open. This shows great class and is a buy in to the system, since many star players on struggling teams would take it upon themselves to force shots, but not Judit. It is  rare to find someone who has the ability to score like she does and who will also play hard on the defensive end on every possession. She doesn’t take any plays off and gives it her all every single game, which can be tough when she only averages 3.30 minutes rest per contest.

Amy Browne (Manchester Mystics)

This next player made my High Five last year and she 100% deserves to make it again. I was impressed with Amy Browne last season as she battled through a tough campaign – narrowly missing out on a Play-Off spot, but always holding herself in such a professional manner. This year Manchester were able to assemble a team around her and she has flourished. Amy has hit game winners and been instrumental in Manchester bringing some silverware back to the city. Amy keeps the game simple, she sprints the floor in transition to the three-point line if she is open, she will shoot it and has done so in a deadly fashion. Amy moves very well off the ball, creating opportunities not only for herself, but her team-mates too. Then, because of her great movement and high basketball IQ, she comes up with timely defensive stops, steals and offensive rebounds – giving her team extra possessions to win games.

Alex Smith (Leicester Riders)

There is no surprise Leicester finished second this season and Alex Smith had her best campaign to date. Some players with her dead eye shooting ability may not have taken moving to the point guard spot well, but she embraced her new role and repaid Head Coach Matt Harber’s faith in her. Alex has developed so much over her past two seasons and that is a credit to her, the programme and Coach Harber. She sits second in three-pointers made and assists per game, amongst the league leaders  – something which is a deadly combination to have in your backcourt. She approaches every single game focused and shows a tireless work ethic, although she is not the most vocal of leaders, she leads her side by example and her team follows.

Alison Gorrell (Team Northumbria)

Lastly in my Five High is our very own Alison Gorrell. Coach Harber touched on her skill set professionalism in his High Five to which he was very right. I can’t say enough positive things about Ali as a player and a person. Through a turbulent season she has remained super professional, bought in things and led by example. Ali’s biggest attribute is her heart and determination and her desire to win. Some players shy away from the big challenges, but not Ali, as she embraces them head on! It isn’t a coincidence that she has this mind set as she works on all aspects of her game tirelessly, getting shots up, attending one to ones, fully committing to her S and C programme and having a totally cerebral approach to the game! With all these attributes, it is no surprise she finds her self amongst the league leaders in categories such as scoring, minutes played , three throws made, steals rebounding and so on! Ali has helped our team to a winning record, has helped her team mates shine and helped me become a better coach. I am very excited to build our programme around Ali for next season!

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