Nunawading Spectres sign Izzy Chilcott and Rachel Antoniadou ahead of inaugural elite league season

The Nunawading Spectres are setting themselves for the inaugural season of the new State Elite League with the announcement of a couple of pretty handy signings.

Izzy Chilcott has re-signed with Nunawading. Picture: Crossover Photography.

The Nunawading Spectres are setting themselves for the inaugural season of the new State Elite League with the announcement of a couple of pretty handy signings.

The Spectres have re-signed captain Izzy Chilcott and talented guard Rachel Antoniadou ahead of the opening tip-off in March.

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“It’s a great day for our team, our program,” Spectres head coach Paul Flynn said in announcing the signings. “Izzy came into our program last season, adding championship experience, leadership and an incredibly versatile skillset that allowed us to play her in varying roles any given night.

“Izzy’s a competitor, she wants to win and wants to help her teammates be successful. She’s exactly the type of player you want to play alongside, that I want to coach, and I know she’s going to drive this team towards achieving its goals.”

Chilcott played 21 games for the Spectres last season, returning 13 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists a game, while shooting at a more than handy 45.5 per cent from the field.

She led the Spectres to a third-place regular season finish and to the preliminary final, one game shy of the team’s first grand final appearance since 2008.

“I’m pumped to be back with the Spectres again this coming season,” she said. “I loved playing for Flynnie last year and I’m confident that he’ll put together a team that will once again push for a championship. Nunawading is such a great organisation and I feel very proud to be a part of the team and to be able to represent the entire association.”

“Coming back was a no-brainer, it just feels like home.”

Originally from the Gold Coast, Chilcott has spent time in the WNBL with the Logan Thunder and Perth Lynx along with a stint at Pensacola Junior College and the University of San Diego in the US college system.

This off-season Chilcott has been honing her skills on the FIBA 3x3 circuit, an integral member of the Spectres squad that claimed Pro Hustle honours in 2018 and Team Melbourne that recently challenged the 3x3 World Games in Japan.

“We’re looking forward to the benefits of Izzy competing in world class 3x3 events this off-season,” Flynn said. “Her skillset naturally lends itself to an attacking style of play and we’ll look to capitalise on that more this season and adding the right pieces around her.

“We want to provide our incredible supporters a fun energetic style of basketball to watch, absorb and be a part of and know that the team we put on the floor gives our juniors something positive to aspire towards.”

Rachel Antoniadou. Picture: Crossover Photography

Antoniadou appeared in 22-games for the Spectres last season, moving to Nunawading after previously calling Dandenong home at both SEABL and WNBL level.

“We’re thrilled to have Rachel commit ahead of the new year,” Flynn said. “Rach was a late addition to the roster last pre-season, but quickly found her niche within the group and became an integral part in us pursuing success.

“She’s a very important signing for us heading into the new year. Following some time abroad post finals, Rach has been putting in some significant hours on court and I’m looking forward to what that translates to this coming season.”

An Australian representative at junior level, Antoniadou had a stint with Florida State University prior to making the move from the Rangers to the Spectres.

“There’s such a great culture here at Nunawading that I love and I’m so thrilled to be back for another season,” she said. “We finished the regular season in third last year, losing the preliminary final. So, with the revamped league and plenty of opportunity to redeem ourselves, I’m looking forward to putting in the work alongside my teammates to make our mark.”

Flynn said Antoniadou would play a crucial role in the Spectres’ game plan this season.

“We’re going to lean on Rach a lot more this year, she’s a veteran now and brings an incredible level of tenacity to what we do,” he said. “Rach will get key defensive match ups week in, week out and alongside Iz (Chilcott) will be the driving force behind the pace we want to play offensively this season. They form an exciting backcourt and I’m looking forward to what we’re able to generate off their skillset and creativity.”

The Spectres are set to take part in the inaugural season of the Elite League, which was established to replace the South East Australian Basketball League.

The Elite League will feature teams from across Victoria and Tasmania, with the season tip-off scheduled for March 29.

Nunawading Spectres head coach Paul Flynn. Picture: Crossover Photography