Rising star X-factor: Mccully

TOWNSVILLE Flames veteran Rachael Mccully believes rising star Alex Fowler will be the “X-factor” for their QBL finals charge, saying no team in the league has a bench player with her talents.

The Flames are preparing for a blockbuster clash against the Gold Coast Rollers in tonight’s semi-final at Townsville Basketball Stadium as they case their first championship since 2008.

Townsville has a starting five full of WNBL experience, but local junior Fowler has been a revelation off the bench, averaging 12.7 points per game along with 5.1 rebounds.

Fowler has been in and out of the Flames squad this season as she helped Australia win silver at the FIBA Under-19 Women’s World Cup, but Mccully said that success had also been huge for her confidence.

“Coming in off the bench she’s just an X-factor for us. No one in the league has a sixth man like that who’s playing as well as her at the moment,” Mccully said.

“She’s put in all the work and had that fantastic tournament and she’s come back with a world of confidence. It’s really positive to see and she’s running the floor well, she’s finishing inside, she’s hitting those outside shots.”

Tonight’s women’s semifinal tips off at 7pm at Townsville Basketball Stadium.