100-game milestone beckons for Clinch Hoycard

Sunday's clash between the Geelong Venom and Perth Lynx will be a special one for Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard.

Not only will it mark her first game back in Perth since joining the Venom ahead of the WNBL26 season.

But it will also mark her 100th game in the WNBL.

"[Honestly] it's a little wild to think that I've played 100 games in the WNBL already," Clinch Hoycard said.

"I'm proud of myself [for getting this far]."

Starting as a development player, where the first two seasons were in Queensland and Ballarat, were tough but it's been a great journey and I'm very happy to still be in the league.

"[Making the milestone more special is the fact the game] is back in Perth, where it all started and against my former team.

"It's going to be great to have all my friends and family there for the occasion, which all came about after I missed two games earlier this season [with injury], after not missing a game through the first five seasons of my career.

"I'm really excited how it's all lined up for me."

Born and raised in Kalgoorlie, Clinch Hoycard grew up playing in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Basketball Association for Christian Brothers College (CBC) Basketball Club, as well as regularly travelling more than six hours on weekends to play in Perth.

From here, she went on to represent West Australia Country at National Junior Titles, before being selected for the Australian under 17s Sapphires squad in 2014 and the Australian under 19 Gems squad in 2015 and 2016.

After her junior career, Clinch Hoycard, who also excelled at tennis and netball growing up, moved to the United States on a scholarship for the University of Hawaii.

Clinch Hoycard spent one season abroad before joining the Perth Lynx as a development player ahead of the WNBL20 season.

This was the first of five seasons with the Perth Lynx, in which she also helped Warwick win an NBL1 National Title and NBL1 West Title in 2022.

Then ahead of the WNBL26 season, Clinch Hoycard moved east and joined Chris Lucas' Venom.

The 27-year-old, who is averaging career-best numbers in points (7.2), rebounds (3.8), assists (1.2) and steals (0.8)a per game, admits this journey has helped her grow both on and off the court.

"[In year one], I was pretty quiet but that's not the case anymore, as my confidence has definitely grown, both on and off the court," she said.

"I'm also still trying to become more than just a three-point shooter. But in saying that, my three-point shooting game has grown probably the most over the years.

"I'm very grateful of all the opportunities I've had and people I've met along the way. These relationships have made me a better person and I probably wouldn't have gotten through all the challenges the WNBL has thrown at me over the years without them."

While the Lynx will always have a place in her heart, especially having to play alongside stars such as Darcee Garbin, Sami Whitcomb, Jackie Young, Marina Mabrey and Ari McDonald, Clinch Hoycard is determined to making Sunday's milestone a memorable one for her Venom.

"We've had a pretty unlucky season to be completely honest," she said.

"We've been riddled with injuries and players coming in and out. It's been tough because we've been in all but two games and haven't been able to close out those games.

"[In saying that] I've really enjoyed the season and it's been a good change. I'm very glad I did it.

"[In terms of the game] we know it's going to be a challenge against an in-form Lynx side, who is full of some very good players, who are all having career-best seasons.

"But it's going to come down to the little things and who wants it more and we will see what happens on Sunday."

The Round 11 fixture at the Perth High Performance Centre tips off at 6.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN and 9Now.

Tickets to the clash are still available here.