Sparks Before Fire Flames Showdown
An already confident Karlie Samuelson will head into Townsville’s tussle with Sydney even more buoyant on the back of signing for the Los Angeles Sparks. She’s familiar with the franchise and determined to make the most of another opportunity to succeed in the WNBA.
“Yeah I’m excited, I played with them a couple years before and it’s always fun to play at home. I think it’s really hard to get training camp contracts these days, there’s so many players that are trying to get in the WNBA so I’m really grateful for it.”
The guard believes she’s become a more prominent player on the court since joining the JCU Townsville Fire, following a lengthy stint in Europe.
“It obviously helps when your team is doing well and you’ve also had some good games personally. But definitely credit goes to coach Shannon and the team for just being able to play the way I like to play. I think I’m getting a lot more touches than in Europe where it was catch and shoot, I’m not really crammed into the corner. It’s more fun where I can be a bit more creative.”
The Californian will aim to improve her already impressive 55% shooting accuracy in the WNBL, on Sunday.
“I hope so, it should be a good clash, I know Sydney are outside of finals but they’re a tough team to beat.”
The hosts will be chasing a tenth consecutive victory not that the coach is counting. Shannon Seebohm insists the players aren’t glorifying their winning streak either.
“No there’s been no talk of that, and I think it’s really important we don’t get carried away in that sort of stuff. We’re just taking it one game at a time and trying to play good basketball and if we do that the results will take care of themselves.”
The Flames are the league’s lowest scorers but totalled above their average points per game in both defeats in Sydney this year. Seebohm wants his side to be stingier at home, as Townsville tries to make it a clean sweep.
“On the defensive side of things, I think that’s an area where if we can get 10% better in the next week or two, it’s going to make a big difference.”
It’ll be the final regular season game at the Fire Pit. Fans are being encouraged to fill the venue and cheer on our women as they look to lock down top spot. Curtain Raiser is at 1:30pm followed by the Main Game Tip off is at 3pm.
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