Chance to grow game: George

NORTH Queensland basketball gun Cayla George believes the WNBL hub will be key to growing the sport with the region’s youngsters.

The Cairns product said it was an opportunity, especially in Far North Queensland where there is no WNBL presence, to encourage more young females on to the court.

George spent all of the offseason in her home city, and has since been part of the Boomers training hub in Townsville. The side will move to Cairns later in the season, where she hopes they can get local juniors involved.

“It has been incredible, to watch my niece and nephews grow up. I am really happy for the region, especially the young Indigenous girls that I have done a lot of work with since I have been home,” she said. “To watch these games live is important because you can’t be what you can’t see.”

The excitement of staying in her home state is coming out on the court for the 15-year WNBL veteran after she stole the spotlight from the most anticipated clash in the WNBL on Saturday night.

In a game that was booked as the first meeting between Australian basketball royalty Liz Cambage and the heir apparent Ezi Magbegor, it was George who upstaged them both. The Boomers forward (24 points, eight rebounds and

four assists) inspired a major turnaround in the second half for the Melbourne side as they fought back from 10 points down at the first break to an 89-72 win.

George was not the only former Fire player to star on the Townsville Stadium court, with Tess Madgen shooting the lights out in the second half with five-of-eight from threepoint land to also finish with 24 points, nine rebounds and five assists.

Southside did not let the loss simmer for long, after the Flyers bounced back with a 99-72 win over Sydney Uni Flames yesterday.