BRONZE AGE OPALS STARS TO BRING FORM BACK FOR FIRE

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TOWNSVILLE Fire coach Shannon Seebohm is adamant his two Opals will step it up a gear this season after winning bronze at the FIBA Asia Championships in Jordan.

Both guard

Lauren

Nicholson (pictured) and centre Zitina Aokuso played key roles for the Australian side who downed Korea 88-58 in the bronze medal match.

The Opals came within seconds of getting a gold medal opportunity, but lost to eventual champions Japan by two points in the semi-finals on Saturday.

Aokuso and Nicholson were included in Paul Goriss’ starting five for almost every game of the tournament with both players showing a high work rate on the floor.

Seebohm, who didn’t miss a game of the Opals bronze medal run, believed Aokuso would be one to watch after she

Tahlia Kokkinis wins the Women's AMT at the Tennis Townsville North Queensland Open. Picture: Matthew Elkerton came into her own throughout the tournament.

“I thought in (the bronze medal match) they made a focal point of getting her the ball early and she delivered,” he said. “Hopefully she takes a lot of confidence out of her performance.’’