SWAIN BACK HOME AND READY TO FIRE
IT has been a long time coming, but Shaneice Swain is back and ready to represent her home town in the NBL1 North competition.
Swain has spent the past two summers with Canberra Capitals in the WNBL and was with NBL1 rivals Mackay last winter, but the junior Australian representative will don the Dolphins’ aquamarine blue in 2023.
The reason for a return to the Far North is fairly simple: home is where the heart is.
“Because I’ve been away for so long in Canberra, I’ve just wanted to come home and play,” Swain said.
“Thinking ahead, it could be a way to playing overseas as well. It’s been a long time since I’ve been back home and played for my home club, so I’m super excited.
“It means a lot to me. Coming home and playing in front of my friends, family, and all that … being home is the best feeling.”
Swain has grown as a player after two campaigns with the Capitals in the WNBL, with her confidence at a career-high ahead of tip-off in the new NBL1 North season. Dolphins coach Sam Gruggen is rapt to have Swain back as part of the Cairns basketball family.
“Shaneice is obviously an extremely talented young player with a huge future ahead of her,” Gruggen said.
“I’m glad the Dolphins will continue to be part of her basketball journey.
“Her capability to get to the basket and finish different ways, get downhill and shoot the three is incredible, but she’s also a tenacious defender.”
Adding more excitement to the season-opener against the Flames in Townsville is a personal clash between Swain and fellow Cairns product Indiah Bowyer.
The former Cairns State High School duo represented Australia together at the Oceania under-15 Basketball
Championships in 2018 along with a number of other junior rep sides, but this will be the first time they face off.
“I haven’t come up against her yet; I’m pretty excited to play against her,” Swain said.
Swain and fellow WNBL talent Penina Davidson, along with junior Australian representative Taylor Mole, were announced on Thursday as key signings for the 2023 Dolphins.
THE SQUAD: Teyahna Bond, Penina Davidson, Taylor Mole, Leichan Williams, Emma Nakamura, Ebony Ross, Emma Toombs, Myra Donkin, Shaneice
Swain, Andrianna Francis. Coach: Sam Gruggen