Winter Update| Cocks in blistering touch for Tall Ferns

JCU Townsville Fire sharp-shooter Micaela Cocks has guided New Zealand to a 75-72 victory over Japan to commence the third edition of our Winter Update. With Japan unbeaten going into the final game of the William Jones Cup in Taiwan, the Tall Ferns recorded a famous victory thanks to the hot hand of Cocks, who finished with a game-high 27 points on the back of 10/15 shooting from the field. The two-time WNBL championship winner was electric all tournament, averaging 15.8 points and 4.2 rebounds as the Tall Ferns finished with a 4-1 record. The Tall Ferns will continue their preparations for the up-coming Asia Cup by playing a series in Singapore this week. Further abroad, head coach Claudia Brassard will serve as an assistant for the Australian team at the Under-17 Oceania Championships in Guam which tip-off today. The Sapphires face Tahiti from 1pm with development player Miela Goodchild looking to steer the team to victory. In the Waratah League, Suzy Batkovic kept Newcastle’s slim hopes of reaching the final alive with another monster haul. The five-time WNBL MVP finished with 30 points and 15 rebounds as the Hunters (7-7) defeated Sutherland 72-57. The news was not as positive for the Townsville Flames, however, as they were on the wrong side of the ledger with the unbeaten Brisbane Spartans, who prevailed 87-76. With fog preventing the Flames from facing the Brisbane Capitals the night before, a disrupted road trip failed to improve as the visitors were left to rue what could have been. In a return to form, Mia Murray led the way with 21 points and seven rebounds, while Darcee Garbin (19 points and six rebounds) and Haylee Andrews (14 points and six rebounds) were two of the side’s better performers. Finally, in the SEABL, Marena Whittle was the only Fire player to take the court as Nunawading claimed a narrow victory over Albury. Whittle finished with nine points and four rebounds before leaving the court through injury.