Flames storm through to QBL Semis
The Townsville Flames are just one win away from competing for the QBL championship which starts this week’s Winter Update.
Having finished the regular season on top of the table, the Flames were forced into a knockout quarter-final against North Gold Coast at the weekend.
Compounding matters, however, was the absence of star forward Darcee Garbin, who was missing due to an Australian selection camp for next month’s world Cup in Spain.
Despite Garbin’s absence, the Flames were able to repel a Casey Samuels-led onslaught, the Fire recruit finishing with 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists, to set up a semi-final showdown against Rockhampton.
Former Fire development player Miela Goodchild led the way with a team-high 19 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, while Stella Beck was impressive again with 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
Micaela Cocks finished with five points, six rebounds, two steals and one assist.
Garbin and Tess Madgen are down to the final 18 for the Chemist Warehouse Opals, with head coach Sandy Brondello selecting the World Cup team following the AIS camp.
Both players recently represented the Opals at the Four Nations tournament in China.