McSpadden enjoys time with Gangurrus
Sydney Flames’ Lara McSpadden has played a role in helping the Australian Gangurrus win at the weekend’s FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup.
In the lead-up to their 5-0 tournament run in Singapore, McSpadden was part of coach Damon Lowery’s squad which also featured fellow training partners Amy Atwell and Miela Goodchild, alongside final squad members Alex Wilson, Anneli Maley, Lauren Mansfield and Marena Whittle.
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This amazing opportunity all started late in the WNBL season.
“It was a random day during the end of the WNBL season when Damon called Emma [Clarke] asking about me as a replacement for Lauren Scherf in the 3×3 squad,” McSpadden said.
“Emma gave the phone to me and Damon asked if I’d be interested, I jumped on the opportunity straight away.”
The 3×3 format is familiar to the Newcastle junior too, having tried her hand at it previously.
“I’ve played 3×3 before for the Sydney Uni Sparks at the Hustle tournaments in Melbourne and the University 3×3 for Sydney Uni, so I’ve had some experience,” she said.
“I didn’t think getting to do it at the international level would ever be on the cards for me, so I’m super pumped to have been given the experience of attending a camp at the FIBA Asia Cup.”
The camp entailed intense training sessions and games, to prepare the green and gold for their defence of the Asian title – all of which the NSW product believes will strengthen her overall game.
“The adjustment mainly involved being able to switch everything, which I found easier with each training and game,” the 24-year-old said.
“Other than that, I could optimise my strength and play defence more physically due to the looser foul calling which was super fun and competitive.”
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Now that she has a taste for it, McSpadden hopes to get the chance to represent her country on the international stage in the not-too-distant future.
“Any chance to represent Australia is intoxicating, and an honour,” she said.
“To do it as a part of the legitimate team would be an unforgettable experience.”
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