Opals up in the air, Boomers' feet on the ground
TweetTHE Opals squad flew out for New York today and a practice camp which includes two exhibition games against Canada ahead of the FIBA World Cup, while the Boomers prepared to continue their Asia Cup title defence in Jakarta in tomorrow's quarterfinals, facing regional rival Japan.
Ousted from playoff contention at the Rio and Tokyo Olympics but with a Silver Medal in between at the FIBA World Cup, the Opals are anxious to shed recent controversies and recapture their standing on the world stage.
The squad of 15 will be reduced to 12 for the World Cup in Sydney in September and currently is Bec Allen, Sara Blicavs, Darcee Garbin, Cayla George, Lauren Jackson, Tess Madgen, Ezi Magbegor, Anneli Maley, Jade Melbourne, Maddy Rocci, Alanna Smith, Stephanie Talbot, Marianna Tolo, Kristy Wallace, Sami Whitcomb.
Cutting three players will be extremely challenging for the coaching staff, which in itself is an encouraging sign for the Australian women's team.
Less so has been the recent concussion issues suffered by Olympian Bec Allen. The small forward/off guard suffered a concussion on June 12 playing for New York Liberty against Chicago and there are valid concerns for her health and wellbeing.
Out for three weeks, Allen took an elbow to the head against Los Angeles Sparks in her first game back and fell to the floor near the baseline.
She struggled to jog back toward the centreline but collapsed before reaching the centre circle and was disoriented and distressed as she was assisted back to the bench.
Allen returned to the Liberty's WNBA roster on July 12 and in three games since, has played just over 22 minutes a night.
IN Jakarta, the Boomers laid waste to their intragroup rivals at the Asia Cup, following their 78-60 win over Jordan with a 76-52 sandbagging of Saudi Arabia and a 78-53 win over Indonesia.
Thon Maker has been relishing the chance to play consistently, leading the Boomers in scoring with 16.7ppg and rebounding, 7.7rpg.
Sam Froling is next on the team in both categories, with 12.0ppg and 7.3 rpg. William McDowell-White, with 5.3 assists per game, leads the Boomers, Mitch McCarron next with 4.0.
Keanu Pinder with 11.5 points and Tyrese Proctor with 11 are Australia's only other players scoring in double figures.
Having swept its pool, Australia tomorrow faces Japan in a quarterfinal, with the winner to face the winner of the New Zealand-Korea quarterfinal in the semi finals.
Iran, Australia's Gold Medal opponent in 2017, is looming again as the biggest threat in the other half of the draw.