Superb Shyla does number on Flames
A BREAKOUT third term from emerging talent Shyla Heal has helped save what was shaping as an atrocious weekend for the Townsville Fire.
It was looking bad in the middle of yesterday afternoon, beaten by Southside the day before and trailing at halftime in their second leg of the double-header.
Everything changed for Townsville in the third term against the Sydney University Flames.
After being behind for much of the first half, the Fire’s defensive intensity and effort suddenly lifted, going to a zone at times, as did their
talk and emotion coming from their bench as the reserves made their impact on the contest while seated.
Youngster Heal was key in the momentum change late in the third term.
She landed a big triple, not long before taking the contact and finishing at the rim while also finding Zitina Aokuso around the bucket for an easy finish.
Heal hit another big shot a few minutes later to push Townsville’s lead to nine approaching the final change.
The daughter of Shane poured in 11 third-quarter points as she changed the game the way of the North Queensland club.
Her side won the stanza
23-8. The 19-year-old Heal has been the talk of the WNBL season so far with her outstanding play and she showed everyone exactly what the hype was about yesterday.
Just like her old man, Shyla does not lack any confidence either.
She put in a well rounded performance, 15 points, five rebounds and six assists.
Both sides’ offence dried up in the last term but the Fire did enough to hold on, 73-59.
The Fire are now 6-3 on the season.
“Shyla has been great,” Fire coach Shannon Seebohm said.
“I think she is going to get better, she is learning how to
better insert herself into the four quarters of the game.
“I think she is only going to get better and better with more experience.”
The Flamers were held to just 14 points in the entire second half, showing just how well Townsville defended.
Big centre Lauren Scherf set the platform for the Flames in the first half, giving her club an offensive punch as well as being the dominant player on the court around the rebounds.
Scherf had 15 points at the long break while Alison Schwagmeyer-belger and Lauren Mansfield both went past double figures in points to give the NSW team a healthy advantage.
“I know I had to come out firing today after Saturday’s loss,” Scherf said at halftime.
“Our defence is key, we just need to go to work on that.”
Sydney’s big pairing of Scherf and Natalie Burton were strong defensively, stopping plenty of Fire opportunities around the rim in the first half.
Scherf had 18 and 19 when it was all over but her teammates did not give her enough help in the second half.
After leaving Saturday’s game with blood streaming down her face, Lauren Nicholson returned for Townsville and hardly missed a beat.