Four make elite course
FOUR Townsville teenagers with big hoops dreams have been selected for Basketball Queensland’s most elite developmental course.
The National Performance Program is an intensive experience for the state’s top junior basketball athletes, providing ongoing training and support.
Rory Hawke, Luca Yates, Riley Downes and Jack Egginton will undergo weekly training sessions held by former
TOWNSVILLE Fire star Bridget Carleton has played her final WNBL game of the season after being called back to Canada for national duty.
Carleton flew out of Townsville at 4pm yesterday in preparation for next weekend’s Olympic qualifiers.
Fire coach Shannon Seebohm said the loss caught him by surprise.
“She had a clause in her contract that I wasn’t even aware of until a few weeks ago,” Seebohm said.
“Basically any Canadian national team duties take precedence over our games.
“It’s just one of those contractual things that when she joined the club, her and her
Olympian Peter Crawford as part of the program.
Jack said he was looking forward to advancing himself under Crawford and alongside his good mates.
“I was excited when I found out I was picked,” Jack said afterwards.
“I want to learn what stuff I can improve on and get better at in general.
“I want to become more athletic on the court; be quicker, jump better.
“We’re all excited to be here manager asked at the time for that to be a clause.”
Seebohm said Canada Basketball requested Carleton return home as the national team prepare for games against Belgium, Sweden and Japan.
The loss of the 22-year-old is significant as the Fire prepare to host the Bendigo Spirit this Saturday.
Seebohm said Carleton was just beginning to hit her straps Down Under.
“It makes it that little bit tougher but we’re really grateful to have had Bridget with us,” he said.
“She’s been a great contributor for us, particularly over the past five or six games.
“She certainly improved and it’s cool I get to do it with them.”
Luca Yates, 16, said he felt blessed to be selected in an exclusive program.
“It’s an honour because not many people get this opportunity to be in this program,” Luca said.
“I want to take the opportunity and use it as best as I can.”
The 200cm centre said his sheer strength and finishing around the rim were features of his game and was hoping the across the season and she’s been a really important part of what we’ve done.
“With more experience in the WNBA and as she gets older she’s going to be a really great player.”
Seebohm said he’d spoken to Carleton’s manager about potentially getting her to return to Townsville next season.
However, nothing had been decided at this stage.
The head coach said Townsville would concentrate on re-signing Australian players and seeing what other pieces they need before figuring out their imports for 2020/21.
He didn’t rule out Townsville bringing in a big name international for next year. program could equip him with other tools.
Townsville Basketball general manager Mark Wrobel said it was great to have four players picked in a program which has a capacity of 24.
“It’s always a highlight when our athletes get recognised,” Wrobel said. “It’s a great achievement for us.
“Hopefully, getting mentoring by Peter Crawford will get them to take that next step and get them introduced into national teams this year.”
“You look at some of the playoff teams across the league this year and that’s what they’ve got.
“They’ve got type players.”
With the clash against the last-placed Spirit just over 24 hours away, Seebohm said marquee
Carleton’s absence wasn’t all bad. “It just provides more opportunity for other girls to step up and put their best foot forward to gain contracts for next season.”
The Fire versus Spirit game starts at 6.05pm tomorrow at Townsville Stadium.