Sparkling performance gives Hibbert Weekly Award

Bulleen Melbourne Boomers forward Katrina Hibbert turned on a Round Five performance that reminded fans why she was named WNBL MVP last season and earned herself her first Virgin Blue Player of the Week award for the season.

The 28-year-old helped her team to two wins and the League lead on the weekend, scoring a total of 47 points over the Townsville Fire and the Sydney Uni Flames. The Opals squad member shot at 64% over the weekend, including hitting four-of-six three-pointers and 75% from the field against Sydney Uni on Saturday night.

“Froggy was just awesome at both ends of the court on the weekend,” Bulleen Melbourne coach, Cheryl Chambers, said.

“She helped get the ball to people, she set screens, she copped a bleeding nose, but she just kept going. She did it all.”

Hibbert was one of four Bulleen Melbourne players named in the 25-strong Opals squad for the Commonwealth Games today, and will join the Opals in Melbourne for a training camp from December 11-14.

“There certainly is a buzz around the club today after the announcement,” Chambers said.

Players of the Week will be announced every Tuesday throughout the season with the 2005/06 League MVP being presented with a trip for two courtesy of Virgin Blue and the Price Attack WNBL at the end of the season.

Other players in contention for the award in Round Six were WNBA import Alana Beard (Canberra), Kelly Wilson (Townsville), Jacinta Hamilton (Dandenong) and Deanne Ranford (Adelaide).