Aokuso backed to make Games

A TOWNSVILLE Fire star’s upcoming rematch with a WNBL powerhouse could be what makes or breaks her Olympic Games ambitions.

Southside star Liz Cambage will always command plenty of attention and frequently attracts multiple defenders.

But Fire sensation Zitina Aokuso took it upon herself last week to stand up to the WNBA star, performing admirably in a 101-89 loss.

With another bout against the towering centre tonight, former Townsville championship winner Suzy Batkovic believes this is Aokuso’s chance to prove she belongs in an Australian singlet.

When the 21-year-old took on Cambage at Townsville Stadium, she refused to back down to her more fancied rival – finishing with 12 points, 7 rebounds and two steals, with many of her personal highlights coming towards the end of the contest.

It showed a willingness to stay in the fight, regardless of what the odds were or how the scoreboard read, and Batkovic believes these are the qualities that could launch her into Opals calculations sooner rather than later.

Already Aokuso has been selected in the extended 2021 Australian squad, but with an Olympic Games on the horizon every minute on the court will count. And Batkovic said how the young gun responded to last week’s loss to better herself could be what cements her in the green and gold.

“Liz is a big body, you’re not going to stop Liz, you can only slow her down as much as you can,” Batkovic said.

“She’s a big presence and her ability in there is amazing – particularly for her size. She’s improved over the years, and I think it’s a really good challenge for Z.

“Z’s improving each year, she’s been held back with injury, so I think she knows what she’s capable of and in time we’ll see more and more of her.

“I think it’s been a good experience for her but she has to keep building and she wants to be in that Australian team. She needs to match up against big bodies like Liz, and I know she’s capable of it.”

A strong showing from Aokuso could ensure she times her best form to perfection, when Opals coach Sandy Brondello enters the North Queensland WNBL hub in the coming days.

Batkovic said it was the perfect chance for the Australian mentor to see what the nation’s players were capable of, and those who turned in eyecatching efforts could well be rewarded with a Tokyo berth.

Brondello has already identified Fire young gun Shyla Heal as a player to watch.