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ADELAIDE Lightning’s remake as a WNBL entity, under the naming rights sponsorship of the state’s Motor Accident Commission is sending a strong message through new coach Tracy York.

If you want to play for Adelaide, leave it all on the court for Adelaide, make yourself a part of the fabric of what once constituted the great club, then you will be welcome at the Lightning.

Leaving their run late at the WNBL’s remaining free agents, York has adopted some of the mentality of Adelaide 36ers NBL coach Joey Wright – who she assisted alongside Kevin Brooks – looking for players with a point to prove or wanting another shot to show their worth.

“We only want players who want to play for Adelaide,” she said of a new culture which may be at odds with the high-spending previous regime.

For all the very good lineups Adelaide put together during Vince Marino’s run as owner – including a championship team in 2008 - there were a number of mercenaries wearing Lightning colours in his era’s waning days.

There were players who collected a nifty paycheque but never felt the need to risk breaking a fingernail diving on a loose ball.

Players with family and friends watching from the stands tend to want to bleed for their team and those are the targets for York in the club’s gradual rebuild.

“We have to look at the culture and what we want the Lightning to represent,” York said in the aftermath of Sunday’s trial which attracted players from as far afield as Western Australia and Tasmania.

Sunday’s triallists have been trimmed to candidates most likely to suit alongside some seasoned veterans and (hopefully) quality imports.

“We’re not looking for anyone who doesn’t want to be here,” York said, Sunday’s environment full of camaraderie and a positive atmosphere of growth and nurture.

Little will be expected of Lightning in 2015-16 outside of the state, given the free spending antics of several of its rivals.

But York is looking for personnel that is willing to have a red-hot go.

“We’re looking to engage the (Premier League) clubs as well,” Basketball SA CEO Mark Hubbard said.

What form that takes is yet to be fully determined but engaging the basketball community would be an excellent start in growing support for the iconic club.

Bendigo Spirit have signed Joy Burke, 24 and a 196cm centre on a one-year deal.

Burke was a key member of Arizona State University's Sun Devils and has played internationally in Denmark.

A notable absentee from the Lightning trial was state junior and college star Ashleigh “Splash” Spencer who won an Under-20 National Championship under new Spirit coach Simon Pritchard.

Spencer was a three-time NAIA All-American during her four years with Hannibal-LaGrange University Trojans, finishing her senior year ranked third in the NAIA for free throw percentage (85), fourth in points per game (20.75), 11th in total points (581), and 20th in field goal percentage (48.3).

MADE A SPLASH: Ashleigh Spencer rocked the NAIA at Hannibal-LaGrange University.

She also ranked in the top-40 of the NAIA in defensive and total rebounds per game, along with total season rebounds.

Spencer set a new school record for total season points and worked her way to 1922 career points, 62 over the Lady Trojans' previous career points record.

“Ashleigh has been a tremendous player for us the last four years and I have been very privileged to have coached her,” HLGU head coach Kellie Quigle said.

“She will be remembered as one of the greatest women's basketball players at HLGU.”

The 183cm forward soon may be remembered as a Bendigo Spirit.