Lightning strikes twice: the return of Laura Hodges

Courtesy of the Pick and Roll

It’s game 2 of the 2019 WNBL Finals. The hometown Adelaide Lightning are set to inbound, down 72-73 to the University of Canberra Capitals with 5.5 seconds left on the clock and on the threshold of seeing their championship dreams go up in smoke. The tension at Titanium Security Arena is so palpable, you can practically feel a collective sweat.

Lightning co-captain Nicole Seekamp heaves the ball to Lauren Nicholson, then makes a beeline towards the basket. Nicholson weaves through defenders, miraculously keeping the ball in her possession despite the tangle of arms surrounding her.

Time has almost run out. Capitals guard Kia Nurse closes in on Nicholson to seal the deal, leaving the briefest window for Seekamp to roam free in the key. Nicholson sends the rock her way, and Seekamp springs to catch it, pivoting in midair and nailing a buzzer beater to even the series.

The roar from the crowd is deafening, but there is perhaps none among them more thrilled than one of the Lightning’s most ardent lifelong fans. This was the position Laura Hodges found herself in this past February, supporting her team from the sidelines alongside her baby daughter Ava, who she had welcomed into the world the previous October.

Hodges missed the entirety of the 2018/19 season to prepare for parenthood, and it’s safe to say that the twelve months since then have been an absolute blur.

“It’s obviously a very exciting time for my husband and I,” Hodges explained to the Pick and Roll. “Ava is almost one now! I don’t really know where the year’s gone, but she’s lots of fun and very energetic.

To read the rest of the interview, head to the Pick and Roll: https://pickandroll.com.au/lightning-strikes-twice-the-return-of-laura-hodges/