Fire to battle the Lynx
The JCU Townsville Fire face a stern road test tonight when they confront the Perth Lynx at Bendat Basketball Stadium looking to consolidate their top-two position on the WNBL ladder.
While the Fire boast a 2-1 record away from home this season, the run-and-gun style of the Lynx is in stark contest to their own post-orientated game, which feeds their formidable front court of Suzy Batkovic, Cayla George and Darcee Garbin.
Game Day| The JCU Townsville Fire hit the floor in Perth tonight as we tackle the Lynx from 8.30pm! #FireUpTownsville #WatchUsFly #WNBL18 pic.twitter.com/7PChYreXGf
— Townsville Fire (@TownsvilleFire) November 1, 2017
In recent seasons, the Fire and the Lynx have developed a growing rivalry, with the two teams squaring off the 2015/16 Grand Final series.
Having faced each other in pre-season during the Wilmar Sugar Burdekin Blitz, Batkovic believes the Fire can read little into the 2-0 series win, instead pointing to the Lynx’s potency from the perimeter as a warning sign that they must be on their game to maintain their winning streak.
“I think they’ll be a lot better this time,” she said.
“Sami Whitcomb is starting to find her feet now, because she started probably a bit slower than she normally does.
“In time teams always find the combinations that start to work and find some rhythm, so they’re definitely not going to be the same team we played in pre-season.
“We’ll stick to what we do best, keep our game-plan and run our defensive scout on them.”
The Lynx had made an uncharacteristic slow start to the season, but showed their potency last start as they downed Dandenong to improve their record to 2-4.
Whitcomb, a perennial MVP contender, was brilliant against the Rangers, tallying 22 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and three steals to guide her side to victory in Courtney Williams’ absence.
The WNBA point-guard faces a fitness test today to see whether she returns tonight’s clash which tips-off at 8.30pm.
The Fire then return home on Sunday to host the Adelaide Lightning in a top-of-the-table showdown.
Click here to pre-purchase tickets to the Fire and the Lightning from 3pm on Sunday at Townsville Stadium.