FIBA Break Highlights
While the Chemist Warehouse Australian Opals qualified for the Tokyo Olympics at the FIBA tournament in France, the Southside Flyers, UC Capitals, Melbourne Boomers and Adelaide Lightning continued their preparations for the #WNBL20 finals series.
Hers’s what the Top 4 teams have been up to ahead of Game 1.
Southside Flyers
Coach Cheryl Chambers plus Leilani Mitchell and Sara Blicavs were soaring high at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament ahead of the club’s maiden finals campaign.
Meanwhile back at Dandenong Stadium, assistant coach Belinda Snell has been running practice and fine-tuning the Flyers for Game 1, against Adelaide, on February 18.
She’s long made an impression on court, but Bec Cole won praise for her performance this time in the commentary box for Fox Sports’ coverage of the Opals campaign. Captain Jenna O’Hea continues to make positive strides in her comeback from wrist surgery, hopeful of playing again in #WNBL20.
UC Capitals
The Caps had three of their stars representing their respective countries during Olympic qualifiers. And Marianna Tolo (Australia), Olivia Epoupa (France) and Kia Nurse (Canada) enjoyed success with their national teams all qualifying for Tokyo.
Coach Paul Gorris was alongside Tolo in France as an assistant coach, to Sandy Brondello, of the Opals.
Back home in the nation’s capital, assistant Kristen Veal had the coaching reins at practice plus young guns Gemma Potter and Lily Scanlon warmed up for the big stage of finals by enjoying success with Victoria at the national under-20 championships.
Melbourne Boomers
As twin bigs Cayla George and Ezi Magbegor hit the court in France, it was business as usual at the State Basketball Centre for the Boomers ahead of a third consecutive WNBL finals series.
In addition to regular training, the Boomers boarded a bus to East Gippsland last week making a special two-day visit to the regional Victorian community following the horrific bushfires. While putting a smile on the dial of locals, the Boomers also enjoyed a good dose of fun taking camel rides at Lakes Entrance.
New Zealander and talented artist Penina Davidson has also been busy away from the baseline designing a special edition Melbourne Boomers finals t-shirt.
Adelaide Lightning
While Steph Talbot and Lauren Nicholson helped the Opals book their ticket to Tokyo their Lightning and national teammate Nicole Seekamp was continuing her recovery from an injury sustained in the final round of the regular season.
A badly rolled ankle sidelined Seekamp from national duties but she remains hopeful of being declared fit for the Lightning’s trip to Melbourne to play Southside in Game 1.
Star import Brianna Turner earned some recognition for a stellar debut season when she was crowned Chemist Warehouse WNBL Show Player of the Year. Listen to the bonus ep of the podcast here.
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Catch all the finals series action live on FOX Sports.