AIS
Position: 10th
Record: 2-20

Leaders
Points: 12.3ppg Sara Blicavs
Rebounds: 6.4rpg Olivia Thompson
Assists: 1.7apg Mikhaela Donnelly, Sara Blicavs, Tessa Lavey
Steals: 1.8spg Sara Blicavs

Season Overview
A tough season for the AIS, with injuries playing their part in the young team’s struggle for consistency. Plenty of positives from an individual stand point with Sara Blicavs enjoying a brilliant season, while Olivia Thompson and WNBL Rookie of the Year Carley Mijovic impressed.

Best Win: 68-67 v Townsville Round 8
Wins were few and far between for the AIS in the 2011/12 season, but when they did claim a scalp it was a big one in the shape of Townsville. Sara Blicavs (27 points from 12-for-20 shooting) and Olivia Thompson (21 points and nine rebounds) were the heroes.

Standout: Sara Blicavs
It was the season that Blicavs emerged as a leader and potential star of the WNBL, posting career-high numbers in all major categories.

Along with Olivia Thompson, Blicavs played an inspired role in leading the young AIS team through a tough campaign, something that will not have gone unnoticed by clubs chasing her services for the season ahead.

Rising Star: Carley Mijovic
After two bouts of serious knee surgery threatened to derail her fledgling career, Mijovic enjoyed a breakout campaign and emerged as one of the country’s best tall prospects.

At 196cm centre was rewarded for a brilliant campaign, taking out the Betty Watson WNBL Rookie of the Year award at the tender age of just 17.

Coach: Phil Brown
The 2011/12 WNBL season became more frustrating and challenging early on with season ending injuries to Bec Allen and Bec Cole, two of our senior impact players. 

Cole suffered a ruptured ACL in round three and her loss to our young team was a huge hole to fill.  She is a strong leader and her loss to the team in terms of scoring, assists, defensive capabilities and leadership was tough to cover. 

Bec Allen had a full shoulder reconstruction following the Under 19 World Championships in Chile, where she was one of the team’s leading rebounders and scorers.  Allen would have helped our team considerably in the scoring and rebounding areas. 

However, we were able to change some things in our system and in our player rotations so other players stepped up as the season progressed to grab their increased playing opportunities.

Olivia Thompson and Sara Blicavs in particular had very productive seasons for our team while younger players Carley Mijovic, Casey Samuels,  Mikhaela Donnelly, Darcee Garbin, Rosie Fadljevic,  Maddie Garrick and Tiana Mangakahia were solid contributors at various times through the season. 

Unfortunately injuries to Alex Bunton and Tessa Lavey limited their opportunities, but both showed glimpses that they will be good WNBL players in the years to come.       

Despite only winning two WNBL games for the season the AIS team made considerable progress individually and collectively over the course of the season.  

We were a long and athletic team and the skill development the girls have made over the past one-to-two years has been particularly pleasing.  Inexperience across the team was magnified by the absence of Bec Cole, but there is little doubt many of the players from this past season will continue to develop.