Worth getting fired up about
JCU Townsville Fire have resigned championship- winning point guard Mikhaela Donnelly for the 2018/ 19 WNBL season.
After losing last year’s starting point guard Kelly Wilson, the Fire were keen to find a replacement of a similar calibre.
Donnelly, the former under- 19 Australian captain, was a standout in her return to the competition last season when she played a key role in the Fire’s championship success and earned her way into the rotation.
A late injury replacement for Marena Whittle, Donnelly, who enjoyed previous stints at the Australian Institute of Sport and Logan Thunder, averaged 3.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 15 minutes per game.
Fire coach Claudia Brassard said Donnelly looked to have the potential to be the starting point guard.
“Mikhaela Donnelly brings a lot to the team, not just on the basketball floor, but she’s a good leader,” Brassard said.
“Now our starting point guard is not coming back that position is up to her to go get.
“Mikhaela’s always been well regarded within the Australian system, but last year she proved that she’s a quality point guard in the WNBL.
“She’s got the skills, she’s got the basketball IQ to be that starting point guard.”
Donnelly’s form continued in the Queensland Basketball League for Logan Thunder, where she led the competition in assists.
She averaged 10.7 points, 6.6 assists and 4.9 rebounds leading the Thunder last season and is again expected to play a large role starting later this month.
Donnelly, now a mother, started a job as a teacher in Brisbane but will return to Townsville ahead of the WNBL start towards the end of the year.
“I am very excited that we have chosen to come back to Townsville this season,” Donnelly said.
“I can’t wait to get back into training with the girls and try and contend for another championship.
“We were so lucky last year to be a part of a great, supportive and family- friendly club and we did not want to pass up another opportunity to be a part of it.”
Donnelly is the seventh signing for the Fire in 2018/ 19, joining championship- winning teammates Suzy Batkovic, Darcee Garbin, Micaela Cocks, Zitina Aokuso, Laurin Mincy and boom recruit Tess Madgen.
Brassard said she wanted to limit the turnover to maintain the healthy team culture.