Cocks named for Commonwealth Games

March 22, 2018 | Townsville Fire news

Three-time JCU Townsville Fire championship winner Micaela Cocks headlines New Zealand’s squad for the up-coming Commonwealth Games.

Earlier today, the Tall Ferns named a 12-player squad for the tournament which included Cocks and 2015/16 championship-winning teammate Chevannah Paalvast.

The Tall Ferns have been ranked in Pool B and will need to finish in the top-two to have any hope of featuring in the medal rounds.

“After an excellent three-day camp in Dandenong last month, we have picked a team featuring a strong blend of youth and experience for the Commonwealth Games,” said Molloy today.

“Tall Ferns veterans such as Micaela Cocks, Toni Farnworth, and Natalie Purcell will lead admirably, whilst other talented Australian WNBL players Kalani Purcell, Chevannah Paalvast, and Jordan Hunter will provide scoring power and great defense.”

The Tall Ferns will head into a pre-Games training camp before opening their Commonwealth Games campaign with a game against Malaysia on 5 April in Cairns.

Meanwhile, Fire captain Suzy Batkovic has continued her strong form in France with a starring performance for BLMA.

The six-time WNBL MVP posted 21 points and four rebounds as they defeated Roche Vendee 86-50.

Not surprisingly, Batkovic leads the league in scoring with 22.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game with BLMA going 4-1 since her arrival.

Finally, Darcee Garbin will return to the Townsville Flames for the QBL season, but in the meantime, the Opals squad member has turned out for Rockingham in the Western Australian SBL.

In the opening game of the season, Garbin, a two-time championship winner with Rockingham, top-scored with 21 points and eight rebounds as they defeated Stirling 80-73.