Boomers keeping guard

Smells like teen spirit as Conti says team won’t take challenge of Bendigo lightly

MELBOURNE Boomers teen Monique Conti (pictured) says there is no chance her team will underestimate Bendigo Spirit tonight at The Arena.

The Boomers take a 1-1 record into the Round 2 WNBL clash, but despite the Spirit losing to University of Canberra Capitals last week, the talented point guard knows from experience how challenging that team can be.

“It’s still early in the season so we have got a lot to improve on but we’ve had a good, hard week of training,” Conti said.

“We had a pre-season game against them and fell up short by a point, so they will definitely be very tough. I’m looking forward to it though, it will be a good match-up and I can’t wait.

“Hopefully we can get the win and back it up on Sunday.”

The Boomers will be led by Australian Opals star Liz Cambage, who starred in the 76-61 win over Dandenong Rangers last week and was again prominent in the 54-63 loss to Townsville Fire.

Conti scored eight points against the Rangers but was quieter against the Fire, shooting just five points from 14 minutes of game time.

The 17-year-old’s focus is clearly on tonight’s match with the Spirit.

But she knows she will have to back up again this weekend when the Boomers fly to Can- berra to take on the Capitals.

Conti, who is still in Year 12, said while the travel could be testing there was plenty of support from teachers and her Boomers family.

“It is challenging, with training I’ve had to miss some school so it is tough missing out on that a couple of days a week, but my teachers understand my commitments and they know what I’m doing,” she said.

“I just have to communicate with them and they’re willing to help me out outside of school hours too, so that I won’t fall too far behind.”