Junior Flames keep up hot title streak
THEY might be the most successful junior representative team in Townsville Basketball’s history, but these young Flames are only just getting started.
The under-18 division one girls captured the State Championship at the weekend, making it a clean sweep for the side over five tournaments in the past six years.
Small forward Lauren Andrews said it was great to pick up their fifth straight Queensland title.
“It feels really good to keep the streak going we’ve had since under-12s,” Lauren said.
“We did have our doubts this year because everyone in the south has been improving, same with us as well, but we knew we had that streak.”
Despite being concerned with how much their counterparts had improved, Lauren said they did have one thing over their rivals. Fear.
“Everyone’s afraid of us because they know we’re the team to beat,” she said.
“They still come out firing, but they have that mental state of they’re (Townsville) going to be a hard team to beat; they’ve had that for ages.”
Guard Shaylee Browning said the team’s chemistry also put them on a level above their competition.
“Knowing we’ve played together for such a long time, we know each other’s strengths and we’re able to bring them out in each other,” Shaylee said.
She said the team had evolved their style over the years to make up for a lack of size. They had become more well-rounded players because of their ability to adapt to different game plans.
“We play at pace down the floor, that’s a big strength of ours,” she said.
“We’re pretty good in transition. Knowing that most of the south girls are a lot bigger builds, we have had to change our structure a little bit.
“We do use our undersized speed as a strength to be able to beat those teams.”
The 16-year-old said having WNBL Championship winning coach Claudia Brassard mentor them through the tournament was a big asset.
“Knowing her experience, she definitely gave us a lot of tips and really guided us to winning.”
Shaylee said a lot of the squad were now aiming to be included in the NBL1 program and continue their development through the Fire Academy.
Brassard said many of the team could find themselves on the floor for the Flames throughout the season.
She’s also urged them to continue their basketball journey in Townsville and not be lured to other franchises.
“They share the ball, there’s not one star, it’s a really good team and they’re fun to coach,” Brassard said.
“I think they’ll push some of the older players for some minutes.
“They know in Townsville they get good support staff, they benefit from good strength and conditioning coaches, good mental performance coaches and I think that’s valuable as an athlete.”