Returning from the road trip
NICHOLSON NOT CONCERNED WITH INDIVIDUAL STATS
At the midway mark of the season, it’s no surprise Lauren Nicholson is Townsville’s top scorer. She’s averaging a tick under 20 points per game and failed to reach double digits just once. While the guard’s individual displays often reflect the team’s performances, you won’t find her Loz looking for her numbers on the stats sheet.
“I don’t really care about personal performance, if we have a win next to our name that’s one closer to winning a championship so yeah, I’m just trying to do everything I can to help the team gets those wins.”
The captain led from the front against a dogged Canberra in the nation’s Capital, as the JCU Fire closed out its round nine double header with a 77-62 victory after going to down to the Lightning. A game high 22 points, 14 of which came in the third quarter, sparked the visitors, who were well and truly tested before the break.
“It was good I could just make a couple of shots in a row and help put us a few more ahead leading into that fourth quarter.”
Nicholson had a quiet night by her own expectations in the city of churches as the JCU Fire fell below standards sets by coach Shannon Seebohm. Zitina Aokuso’s return was one positive to take from Townsville’s 68-93 loss, with the centre finally facing Adelaide… A little later than planned, after breaking her foot in the warm up, when the teams clashed in round 2. Nicholson knows the talented big is keen to make up for lost time.
“It was nice to have her back! She’s a loud voice on the court, she sets hard screens and does a lot of little things that don’t necessarily get you stats. Yeah, she’ll continue to get fitter and I’m sure moving forward she’ll have more of an offensive presence and be a bit more of a threat at that end.”
Starting centre Tianna Hawkins produced a defiant double double in defeat. The import scored 20 points and collected 13 rebounds. 32 points and 20 boards across both games, saw the American named in the WNBL team of the week. The Hawk will fly to Sydney (in a plane with her teammates) this weekend for a first battle with the Flames this season. Sunday’s showdown will be broadcast on NINE NOW.