Winter Update| Brassard bound for Guam

JCU Townsville Fire coach Claudia Brassard will depart to Guam tomorrow ahead of the Under-17 Oceania Championships. Brassard, who will serve as an assistant to former Adelaide Lightning coach Tracey York, will play a key role in the Gems’ quest to qualify for the Under-19 World Championships. Former Sydney Uni Flames and UC Capitals assistant Reece Potter rounds out the coaching panel. At the same time, Micaela Cocks will lead New Zealand’s fortunes at the William Jones Cup in Taiwan before departing to Singapore as part of the Tall Ferns’ World Cup qualifying preparations. Cocks is one of three Fire championship winners in the squad with Jill Harmon and Chevannah Paalvast also selected. In her final QBL game, Cocks drained a team-high 20 points – along with Paalvast – along with five rebounds and four assists to lead Mackay to an 81-79 win over Cairns. A night earlier, the Townsville Flames pummelled Cairns thanks a game-high 15 points and seven rebounds from Darcee Garbin. Mia Murray added 10 points, two rebounds and two assists as she continues her comeback from injury, while Haylee Andrews finished with seven points and five rebounds. In SEABL action, Marena Whittle was on the wrong side 45-72 loss to Canberra. The Nunawading captain finished with seven points, three rebounds and two assists, while Zitina Aokuso and the Centre of Excellence will face Canberra tonight. Finally, Cayla George’s Phoenix line-up continue to roll in the WNBA. George and some of her Mercury teammates were spotted at the Opals camp being conducted by Sandy Brondello, but have not participated due to their WNBA commitments.