CHERIE SUITS UP FOR FLAMES
FORMER Townsville Fire skipper Cherie Gallagher has answered an SOS to suit up for the depleted Townsville Flames in this weekend’s central Queensland double header.
The 36- year- old forward will add some valuable size to a Flames outfit missing regular ‘ bigs’ Darcee Garbin and Alex Fowler through representative duty.
Top of the Queensland Basketball League with a 13- 1 record, the Flames will still start strong favourites against second- last Gladstone tonight, before taking on sixth- placed Rockhampton tomorrow afternoon.
“She ( Gallagher) will come off the bench for us,” Flames coach Mike StMaurice said.
“At the moment we lack a bit of size, and she gives us experience.
“She’s been to three training sessions, and the stuff we run isn’t super complicated.
“She’s been playing local comp and is ready. Hopefully we can jag at least one win on this trip.”
Gallagher played at QBL level last year but time constraints prevented her from playing this season.
“I’m excited about playing this weekend to play with some old and new faces, as well as seeing how the competition is going,” Gallagher said.
“A few nerves are there as well, but that’s normal for me. With Darcee and Alex away, they have lost a bit of height.” St- Maurice praised regular bench player Rebecca Vanderjagt for her strong 31- minute performance in last week’s win over USC Rip City. She will retain her starting spot at centre in place of Garbin, while Ainsley Walsh will also be elevated into the starting back court in place of Stella Beck ( New Zealand duty).
“It gives us confidence that if something happens to Darcee, other players have shown they’re capable of stepping up and giving us a bit more,” St- Maurice said. “Bec ( Vanderjagt) has played well beyond our expectations, I think it’s the first time in around six years she’s played QBL and she got through some quality big minutes last weekend.” QBL round 13 Tonight: at Gladstone ( women 6pm, men 8pm)
Tomorrow: at Rockhampton ( women 12pm, men 2pm)