Chargers land star of future in Heal

HOBART has handed the keys to a teenage star in the making for the upcoming NBL1 season — but Shyla Heal baulks at any suggestions of added pressure.

The Chargers pulled off a recruiting coup by landing the 18-year-old daughter of Australian Boomers great Shane, opting to back in one of the brightest prospects in the country as their primary ball handler rather than bring in an overseas import.

But a superb rookie season in the WNBL with Bendigo has left Heal confident she can help guide the club into championship contention despite her relative experience in the professional ranks.

Heal completed her debut WNBL campaign averaging 12.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and one steal a match — but flourished with more responsibility in the past month.

In her past six games she upped her output to 17.6 points and 6.5 rebounds, and now has her sights set on elevating her game to another level with the Chargers.

“I knew I was capable of it all season, I guess I found it a bit tough early because I didn’t play the point guard position much and that’s my natural position, but when I started to play it I started to feel really comfortable and all the work I had been doing made me a lot more confident,” Heal said of her 2019-20 Bendigo season.

“For me, the off-season is all about developing, especially for the goals I am trying to achieve. Developing for the next WNBL season I thought coming to Hobart and leading the team was best because they said they would get me instead of an import point guard.

“For me that was really big so I can have that experience in leading a team and dominating every game and helping my teammates. To be in that environment will be good and that’s why I chose to come there.”