TOWNSVILLE BANKS ON FIREWALL

Tough defence high on team’s season agenda

AHEAD of their season-opener on Sunday, Townsville Fire coach Shannon Seebohm has announced he wants his team to “hang their hat on the defensive end” this season.

That’s the message as the team prepares to face a new-look UC Caps team led by first-time WNBL coach Kristen Veal.

As well as iconic coach Paul Goriss, who has joined the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA, the Caps have lost some of their stars including American powerhouse Brittney Skyes and four-time WNBL Champion Kelsey Griffin.

“She (Veal) spent this off-season with the Opals program working with Sandy Brondello, and I think she’s somebody that will come in and be great,” Seebohm said.

“It’s going to be great having a new coach in the league with a different philosophy to what maybe Paul (Goriss) had at Canberra previously.”

Seebohm also cautioned against Canberra’s rising star Jade Melbourne, who recently turned 20 and is playing her last season in the WNBL before joining the Seattle Storm.

Melbourne was drafted 33rd overall earlier this year in the WNBA draft, but had already spoken to the

Storm about her desire to play another year in Australia before joining the American outfit.

“They’re going to play quite uptempo, Jade Melbourne is their point guard who really likes to push the ball,” Seebohm said.

“We’re going to have to do a great job of early pick-up points on the ball, and be very good in defensive transition. For us, we’re hoping to hang our hat on the defensive end, so hopefully we can really tighten up defensively and make it tough for them to find easy opportunities to score.”

If the Fire can get some stops in the defensive end, Seebohm hopes they can get out on fast breaks for some easy baskets. He said they would like to slow the Caps down into a half-court game to limit them.

The Fire launch their season at home at the Townsville Entertainment & Convention Centre on Sunday, with tip-off at 3pm.