Bunten upbeat as Sun sets on TN play-off bid
CHRIS Bunten revealed he could not be prouder of the committed group of senior players who took Team Northumbria to the brink of a WBBL play-off semi-final.
An injury-ravaged campaign meant Bunten was never able to name his strongest starting five.
However, TN fought their way into the top six at the end of the regular season and came within a quarter of toppling third-placed Sevenoaks Suns in Monday’s play-off quarterfinal.
The visitors led by five heading into the final quarter - only for Suns to close out a 67-56 win.
Bunten admitted: “Fatigue caught up with us in the end.
“They had a much deeper bench, were able to rest key players and key times and all of that counted in their favour down the stretch.
“I should be bitterly disappointed the season has ended in defeat after we took a five-point lead into the fourth period.
“Yet I am so proud of the players and delighted they fought so hard yet again - to keep our season alive.
“It has been a battle from start to finish but we have kept going until the end.”
TN lost star guard Chloe Bully to a season-ending injury and saw versatile forward Abi Asoro quit for Europe midway through the season.
Rachael Bland has been absent for long periods of an arduous campaign with various injuries.
It also took Bunten several weeks to get the key signing of Kara Bonenberger over the line, the centre’s move to Sport Central mired in paperwork.
The latest blow came last month when playmaker Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee suffered a concussion ruling her out of the season run-in.
Bunten added: “As defending champions we have gone out of the play-offs at the first hurdle but that does not tell the story. I am proud of what we have done this season.”