{"id":820544,"date":"2026-07-24T09:20:13","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T09:20:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/820544\/"},"modified":"2026-07-24T09:20:13","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T09:20:13","slug":"three-trophies-and-a-massive-move-for-bena-basketball-star","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/820544\/","title":{"rendered":"Three trophies and a massive move for Bena basketball star"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n
\n
\n \"Three
\n
\n Bena basketball star Dallas Loughridge celebrates her three-trophy haul at the 2026 NBL1 South Awards. <\/p>\n

Dallas Loughridge\u2019s remarkable rise continues to unfold, as the 22-year-old collected three honours at the NBL1 South Awards and has secured an opportunity playing with one of the leading college basketball programs in the United States.<\/p>\n

Bena\u2019s very own basketball star was crowned the 2026 NBL1 South Women\u2019s Most Valuable Player at the competition\u2019s recent awards ceremony, following an outstanding regular season for the Casey Cavaliers.<\/p>\n

On top of that, she also received the comp\u2019s leading scorer award and was selected in the All-NBL1 South First Team, completing an impressive three-trophy haul.<\/p>\n

The dynamic point guard proved herself to be an all-around threat, averaging a league-leading 25.84 points alongside 5.26 assists, 3.63 rebounds and 1.89 steals per game.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s just the latest achievement for Loughridge, who received the WNBL\u2019s Betty Watson Breakout Player of the Year Award in February after an impressive season with the Adelaide Lightning.<\/p>\n

Loughridge\u2019s road to success hasn\u2019t been cruisy though.<\/p>\n

She suffered an ACL injury during the preseason of the 2022-23 WNBL campaign, ruling her out of what would have been her first season with the Southside Flyers.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy journey\u2019s been a bit of a rollercoaster,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy injury, for me at the time, was extremely hard. But I think I learned so much about myself.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I just try and work as hard as I can to be the best version of myself that I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Following her injury, Loughridge returned stronger.<\/p>\n

Strong enough to develop into one of the most productive guards in Australian basketball.<\/p>\n

After spending much of her journey with Dandenong, Loughridge made the move to Casey for the 2026 NBL1 South season.<\/p>\n

She said the staff and volunteers at Casey made the transition an easy one.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaking the move over to you guys wasn\u2019t an easy decision, but you\u2019ve made it a really smooth transition, so I\u2019m really appreciative of you guys and the coaching staff also,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou set us up for success. We\u2019ve had a really exciting season and can\u2019t wait to bring on finals.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"DallasDallas Loughridge in action for Adelaide Lightning during her breakout 2025\u201326 WNBL season.<\/p>\n

Loughridge said her experience as a professional point guard also helped her develop more of a leadership role.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think being a point guard, you have to have a bit of natural leadership,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I\u2019ve been able to come over to Cavs and just kind of lead and give them my experience that I have.\u201d<\/p>\n

Casey will begin its finals campaign against the Waverley Falcons on Sunday, August 2.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve had a rollercoaster of a season,\u201d Loughridge said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve had ins and outs, injuries, and everyone that\u2019s stepped onto the floor stepped up and played their role, so it\u2019s exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the end of Casey\u2019s finals campaign, another major challenge awaits Loughridge, as she recently committed to the University of Michigan Wolverines for the 2026-27 American college basketball season.<\/p>\n

Michigan competes in the NCAA Division 1 (National Collegiate Athletic Association), the highest and most prestigious level of college basketball in the United States.<\/p>\n

Loughridge joins the program at an exciting time, with the Michigan Wolverines women\u2019s team coming off what is arguably the most successful season in its history, finishing the overall season with 28 wins and seven losses, and establishing itself as one of the best programs in the country.<\/p>\n

The team also placed equal-second in the Big Ten and reached the NCAA Elite Eight, just the second Elite Eight appearance in the program\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

Michigan head coach Kim Barnes Arico said Loughridge would add scoring, playmaking and another experienced ball-handler to the Wolverines\u2019 backcourt.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are excited about adding Dallas to our program,\u201d Barnes Arico said.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe has experience playing against tremendous competition, which has prepared her for the transition to this level.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe is just an unbelievable scorer and will give us another threat with her decision-making and playmaking.\u201d<\/p>\n

Loughridge will also arrive at the Wolverines with international experience, having represented Australia at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup and the 2022 FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship.<\/p>\n

Loughridge began her junior basketball journey with Poowong before later playing with Warragul and Dandenong.<\/p>\n

Now, after overcoming a serious knee injury and firmly establishing herself as one of Australia\u2019s best talents, the Bena product will take the next step in her career overseas.<\/p>\n


\n Updated
\n
\n July 24, 2026 4:24 pm | 2 hours ago
\n \n <\/p>\n


\n
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/a>
\n <\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n <\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n <\/p>\n

Link copied!
\n Copy failed! <\/p>\n