Fire maintain unbeaten start
The JCU Townsville Fire have finished their pre-season preparations with an unblemished record after clinching an 81-68 victory over the Heat Academy.
Bookmarking wins over the Heat Academy with back-to-back victories over the Perth Lynx at the Wilmar Sugar Burdekin Blitz, the Fire will go into next week’s season opener against the Melbourne Boomers, which is being broadcast live on Fox Sports, on the back of a four-game winning streak.
Five-time WNBL MVP Suzy Batkovic showed she was back to her dominant best against the Heat Academy, registering an imposing double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds.
A double-double from @SuzyBatkovic (22 points & 11 boards) has guided the Fire to an 81-68 win over the Townsville Heat Academy tonight! pic.twitter.com/9gNWXd1nIk
— Townsville Fire (@TownsvilleFire) September 28, 2017
The Fire skipper was well supported by her front court, with Cayla George (13 points) and Darcee Garbin (10 points) also making telling contributions.
Point guard Kelly Wilson enjoyed her best game of pre-season with 11 points, six rebounds and five assists.
“I think there is a lot that we can be pleased with,” Fire coach Claudia Brassard.
“We’ve made some changes to our starting group from last season and we’re only just integrating Cayla back into the line-up, but we’ve certainly got a lot more offensive weapons that what we had in 2016/17.
“We’re still making some adjustments on the defensive end – and that will take time – but with such a short pre-season, I’m reasonably happy with what we have produced to date.”
The waiting period is now over for the Fire, with a round one blockbuster against the Boomers.
The Fire host their first home game against the UC Capitals at Townsville Stadium on October 13.
Click here to become a member of the JCU Townsville Fire.