Brassard brings a little fire to Heat
THE Townsville Heat have added some championship experience to their coaching staff on the eve of the QBL finals with Townsville Fire mentor Claudia Brassard set to join as an assistant coach.
Brassard led the Fire to the WNBL title earlier this year and she’ll be courtside with Townsville’s men’s team tonight as they host the Brisbane Capitals at the Murray Basketball Stadium.
Heat head coach Rodney Anderson said he was excited to draw on Brassard’s experience following the departure of assistant Brad Kann, who took up a position with Basketball Tasmania.
“I thought why not ask the best coach in town and it’s just lucky that she said yes and is really happy to work with us,” Anderson said.
“I think she just wanted to have a look at the men’s style of things. Her and Peter Crawford ( Heat forward) have worked together before with the Fire and I’m really excited to have her.
“Claudia is so experienced and has done a lot in basketball internationally and with the Fire on the national level … we can take a lot out of what she does.
“Obviously, it’s hard to come in and not know every play and not know our defensive schemes … ( but) I’ve just asked her to throw as many ideas as she can at me.”
The Heat are coming off a successful double- header in Gladstone and Rockhampton, with point guard Josh Wilcher leading the way with 67 points and 16 assists across the two games.
Anderson described the Bris- bane Capitals as the “hottest team in the league”, but he believed his players had found their best form with just two games left before the play- offs.
“All the hard work through the season and all those times on the bus – everything’s really starting to come together,” the coach said.
Import Jordair Jett missed last weekend’s road trip to attend his college teammate’s wedding in the US while he is also managing a hamstring injury, but Anderson was confident he would play tonight.
Star forward Darcee Garbin will return for the Townsville Flames after making her Australian Opals debut in a Four Nations series in China.
The Flames have performed strongly in Garbin’s absence over the past fortnight to be top of the ladder, but captain Micalea Cocks said it would be nice to have her back against the Capitals.
“I think she’ll be feeling pretty good, but she’s just a smart player and she knows how to play the game really well,” Cocks said.
The women’s game tonight tips off at 6.30pm followed by the men at 8.30pm.