Belief in Lightning never faded for import Nia Coffey and her teammates, despite dark times

There were rocky moments this season when Adelaide Lightning was near the bottom of the ladder — but they kept believing they could make it to the grand final series.

Nia Coffey drives against the Melbourne Boomers. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

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Lightning import Nia Coffey remembers the rocky moments of the season well, when Adelaide was near the bottom of the ladder.

But as the Lightning prepares for next fortnight’s best-of-three grand final series against the UC Capitals, Coffey says the belief within the team never wavered.

The American has been a revelation this season. She leads her team in points per game (18), rebounds (8) and blocks (26) and has emerged as one of the leading league MVP candidates.

But Coffey attributed the selflessness and the team culture for the side’s rise this season, an achievement even more impressive as it has played out to a backdrop of the franchise potentially closing down after this season for financial reasons.

Adelaide Lightning’s Kayla Alexander drives to the hoop on Thursday night. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

“I’d like to think that we all had the belief that we could get here,” Coffey said. “It was early in the season (that the team struggled) and personally I’d rather us peak towards the end of the season versus at the beginning of the season and then go downhill.

“I think we’ve peaked at the right time and I know we’ve got the talent, we have the coaching staff so I think we all believed in ourselves.

“Everybody is competitive on our team but we also have really genuine, good people.

“It’s a joy to be around my teammates every day, coming to practice.

“We compete hard against each other on the court but afterwards we’re all friends again.”

The Lightning’s owner Grant Kelley, has indicated he would hand back the WNBL licence for next season unless a sponsor or investor could cover a $500,000 a season loss.

Coffey said the players had tried to shut-out the news, as much as it had been hovering above them like a black cloud.

Adelaide Lightning’s Nia Coffey shoots in Thursday’s WNBL semi final game 2 against Melbourne Boomers. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

“I can’t speak for everybody put personally I tried not to focus on that,” Coffey said. “I focused on coming to the gym every day and playing for my teammates.

“Although it’s a shame if it doesn’t get picked up next year.

“The game of women’s basketball is growing so I’m hoping they’ll find a way to keep the team around.

“I’m a little biased because I played on this team and I’ve enjoyed my time here.

“But I really do hope they can bring the team back, not only for the players but also for the fans and for the young girls and young boys — that they can see that could be them in the future.”