Boomers coach welcomes weight of expectation

AUSTRALIAN men’s basketball coach Andrej Lemanis says the Boomers welcome the extra expectation that comes with being heavy gold medal favourites at the Commonwealth Games.

The 12-strong squads for the Australian men’s and women’s teams were released yesterday with both the Boomers and Opals in the box seat to salute on home pine.

Both Australian sides collected gold the last time basketball was played at the Games in Melbourne in 2006.

Rio Olympians Chris Goulding and Damian Martin will be joined by the likes of Cairns captain Cam Gliddon and Brisbane sharpshooter Daniel Kickert in the settled squad with veteran swingman Brad Newley the sole survivor from the 2006 success.

Lemanis said the favourite tag had to be embraced.

“It means we go in with a good level of confidence but it doesn’t change anything in terms of how we prepare,’’ Lemanis said. “We will still need to focus on us and be the best team we can be.

“Everyone is expecting us to win and I’m happy to be going in with a good team with good players. It’s better than people expecting us to win and having a team that isn’t quite as talented. So we are in a good position.’’

Elizabeth Cambage headlines the Opals squad that includes WNBL championshipwinning Townsville Fire star Cayla George, London Olympian Jenna O’Hea and veteran Belinda Snell, who was part of the Australian side that won Commonwealth gold in 2006.