Winter Update| George drops double-double

A monstrous double-double from Cayla George at the weekend tips-off this week’s Winter Update. The two-time JCU Townsville Fire championship winner, who has been lightly used by Phoenix in recent weeks, showed a glimpse of her enormous talent as she guided the Mercury to victory over Chicago. In a tick under 30 minutes, George posted 14 points and 14 rebounds, the most boards by a substitute in the history of the WNBA, as they secured an 86-80 victory. https://twitter.com/PhoenixMercury/status/891132607747899392 George backed that performance up today with six points and six rebounds in a 17-point win over San Antonio. At the Asia Cup, New Zealand finished in sixth place after dropping their classification game to Chinese Taipei. Having suffered the heartache of their World Cup hopes being dashed, the Tall Ferns were no match in the classification game, as they lost 45-65. Micaela Cocks top-scored with 10 points and eight rebounds as she flirted with a double-double. The news was no better for Zitina Aokuso and Australia at the Under-19 World Cup in Italy. Having narrowly missed the medal rounds, the Gems slumped to sixth as France secured a 47-45 win in the classification game. Aokuso, who will link up with the Fire upon her return, finished with three points and two rebounds. In her final game for Newcastle, a Suzy Batkovic double-double could not prevent the Hunters from being blown off the court. Batkovic finished with 27 points and 10 rebounds, but the North Bears still claimed a 103-69 victory. Finally, the Townsville Flames roared back into title contention in the QBL after another polished performance from Darcee Garbin. The championship-winning forward top-scored with 23 points and nine rebounds as the Flames defeated Logan 89-60. Mia Murray chimed in with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Haylee Andrews added 11 points coming off the bench. For the Thunder, Miela Goodchild looked promising with seven points. The night before, however, Goodchild was the star as she top-scored with 22 against Cairns to allow the Thunder to split their North Queensland road trip.