Sisters set for contest

JACLYN Smith and her sister Deanna have chosen similar paths in life, but tomorrow night they’ll be on opposite sides in the Women’s National Basketball League clash between the Bendigo Bank Spirit and the Sydney Uni Flames. The Spirit team will be keen to make amends for the one-point loss to the Flames in 2009 and Jaclyn is looking forward to taking on her sister.“There has always been that big rivalry between us,’’ she said. “We give each other a bit of flak on court during warm-up.’’Despite their on court rivalry, the Smith sisters have remained close, spending New Year’s Eve together in Sydney and climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge on New Year’s Day.The sisters have also followed a similar career path outside of basketball, both now working as school teachers in their respective cities.But being sisters has also allowed Jaclyn to have a good understanding of Sydney’s string of good performances that has lifted it to second place on the WNBL ladder.“I guess at the start of the season, because there are so many good players in their team, they tend to all want to do it themselves,’’ she said.“That usually happens when there are a lot of good players in a team.”They have been putting together a lot more teamwork and that is why they are playing so well.’’Jaclyn said the Spirit had been working hard over the break to formulate ways to counter Sydney’s strong attack.“We’ve been learning lots of new things and working on our defensive heaps, so, hopefully, with our new offences and new defences we can beat them,’’ she said.“We have talked about individual players and how we are going to stop each one.’’ Jaclyn joined the Spirit in the 2008-09 season and is proud to play for a team in her home town.“When I heard that we were entering the WNBL it was great.“There are no other country Victorian teams, so it’s really good to represent Bendigo and country Victoria,’’ said the star from Castlemaine.The 26-year-old, who has also played nine seasons with the Bendigo Lady Braves, says her greatest asset on court is her belief in teamwork. “I think I have good team skills,’’ she said.“And I’m also encouraging.”I don’t get a lot of court time, but from the bench I’m really good at supporting the team.“Game wise, I think I’m a good spot-up shooter.’’The Bendigo Spirit take on the Sydney Uni Flames from 7pm tomorrow at ACUVUE Sports Hall in Sydney.