Sapphires duo share special bond
BEST mates Indiah Bowyer and Shaneice Swain will represent Australia at the Oceania Under 15 Basketball Championships — but the dynamic duo freely admit they couldn’t have done it without each other’s help.
The Cairns State High School students will get their chance to impress on the international stage in December with the teenage tandem poised to take on New Zealand, Samoa, Fiji, Guam and Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby. Having played almost all their basketball together, Bowyer dubbed the pair one another’s “lucky charms” whose special bond makes them dangerous on the court.
“We’ve played together for eight years now,” the shooting guard said. “We’re really good mates and I think our games really complement each other.
“Shaneice is a point guard and is really fast and I’m more of a wing.
“So far, every rep team we’ve ever tried out for we’ve made together.”
The championships will mark the first time Swain has travelled overseas with her passport still on its way.
“It feels good,” the year 10 student said. “With ‘Indy’, we’ve been friends for so long, so it’s great to be able to do it together.”
Swain credited much of her development to her high school coach Brad Burdon, a former assistant with the Cairns Taipans.
“Brad makes sure we do everything at 100 per cent and never slack off,” she said.
“He’s helped with my ball handling and decision making on the court and playing big, not just being a guard.”
The Sapphires will be led by Tracy York, who said the 12player squad boasted plenty of talent, capable of adjusting to the typically faster style of play adopted by rival nations.
“This will be the youngest group to represent Australia and the girls’ team is versatile and quick which suits the Oceania style of play,” York said.
Bowyer, who dreams of playing professionally one day alongside Swain, said she wouldn’t be slowing down now that she’s part of the national team.
“A lot of work has gone into this,” she said. “I’ll still train every day with my club, by myself and through the national performance program.”
Finishing in the top four at the championships will earn the Sapphires a spot at the Under-16 Asian Championships next year. A top-four finish in that tournament will then qualify them for the Under 17 World Cup