Fire trio in Opals squad

INJURY may have derailed Zitina Aokuso last WNBL season, but it has failed to hinder her progress into the Australian Opals set-up.

The 21-year-old overcame a torn ACL to feature as one of three current Townsville Fire players in the national squad for 2020 in their Tokyo Olympics preparations.

Alongside her will be recruits Shyla Heal and Lauren Nicholson, as well as 2019/20 Fire players Darcee Garbin and Tess Madgen.

For Townsville coach Shannon Seebohm, Aokuso’s selection was no surprise.

“To those who have watched her play she’s got a really high ceiling, she’s got a ton of potential,” he said.

“I saw her at an Opals camp in July last year and you could just see then how well she can hold her own at that level and the calibre she’s got.

“I think it’s no surprise … but now the hard work begins and she has to work hard to cement herself for years to come.”

Exciting recruit

Heal has caught the eye of national selectors, despite only being 18.

Her father, Shane, comes from an solid basketball background — having played all over the world and represented Australia at the Olympics.

Seebohm said he had been fortunate enough to see Heal grow into the player she is now from a young age, and had no doubts the best was still to come from the dynamic guard.

He said her upbringing meant she knew what it took to succeed at a high level.

“Even from a very young age the thing that has stood out if her work ethic and desire,” Seebohm said.

“Shyla has put the hard work in her young career to have success, and I’m sure she’ll continue that in Townsville. It’s only the beginning for her and her potential.”

With such a strong Fire contingent firmly on the national radar, Seebohm said great things were to come for Townsville basketball.

The likes of Garbin and Madgen have become mainstays, and the coach believes the talent is in the region to keep producing Australian stars. He said the exposure of those selected would have a flow-on effect to the rest of the team, which would put them in good stead to rebound from their bottom placed WNBL finish last campaign.

“I think one of the things we want to be known for in Townsville is to attract and develop top level talent and help players get to that next level,” Seebohm said.

“We obviously are going to be aiming to have a lot more success than last season and make the playoffs, and hopefully along the way we can help those girls cement their spot in the Opals program.

“I think any time you can have players go and have opportunities to train at national team camps or represent their country, it’s a big confidence booster for them.

“I’m sure when they get those opportunities they’ll bring some of those things they learn to our program and hopefully it rubs off.

“It’s great for us to have the three girls get the opportunity, and I think there are a few others on our roster keen to get there in the future.”