Cocks shines for New Zealand

JCU Townsville Fire star Micaela Cocks has top-scored for New Zealand at their opening game of the William Jones Cup in Taiwan. Having departed North Queensland at the weekend, the dual WNBL championship winner, who is trying to steer the Tall Ferns through to next year’s World Cup, was explosive against India yesterday, finishing with a game-high 21 points en route to a 75-52 victory. The Tall Ferns are using the William Jones Cup as a key plank in their build-up to this month’s Asia Cup, with the top-four advancing to the sport’s showpiece event. Cocks was electrifying from the field in the opening quarter as she posted 12 points without a blemish to blow the game open. The sharp-shooter was well aided by championship-winning teammates Chevannah Paalvast (15 points) and Jill Harmon (11 points, seven rebounds and six assists). https://twitter.com/TallFerns/status/882508156978450432 “Micaela was a standout along with Chevannah, Jillian and Kalani with her rebounding efforts,” New Zealand coach Kennedy Kereama told the Tall Ferns website. “For us our ability to get out in transition and score easy baskets from our defence was good. We did a good job of forcing them into a number of turnovers which resulted in transition lay-ups.” New Zealand will continue their campaign today when they meet South Korea. Click here to read more about the Tall Ferns’ opening victory.