Townsville Fire stars earn Opals call-up as Courtney Woods hits WNBL milestone
Two Townsville Fire players have been named in the Australian Opals squad after Courtney Woods became a WNBL centurion on Wednesday night. Find out why it was such a special night for the captain.
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Townsville captain Courtney Woods has been named in her first Australian Opals squad after she became a WNBL centurion in the Fire’s 106-76 thumping of Perth on Wednesday night.
The runner-up league MVP and young gun Saffron Shiels were included in a 21-player squad that will take part in a training camp in Melbourne in April, ahead of the Opals’ trans-Tasman series against New Zealand.
It came after Woods quietly notched up her 100th appearance for the Fire without any special fanfare, which an emotional coach Shannon Seebohm said was due to the last time Townsville tried to celebrate a milestone game – a 106-80 defeat in Perth in Lauren Mansfield’s 200th.
“It’s awesome. To be honest we didn’t talk about it before the game, because last time we’ve had two milestones, we got absolutely belted,” Seebohm said.
“We’re going to talk about as a team now. But look, I can’t say enough good things about Courtney. She’s obviously someone that I recruited here out of college.
“She’s played every different role that we could possibly ask her to play, whether it’s getting DNPs (did not play), whether it’s playing off the bench – she’s taken a lot of feedback on board and really worked her butt off to get to the point where she’s now a First Team All-WNBL player and a captain of a team that’s going to go and compete for a championship.
“I can’t say enough good things – I’m getting a bit emotional – I’m just very proud of her, and I’m excited to see her lead us out into a grand final series.”
Woods led from the front in her 100th appearance, scoring a team-high 18 points to go with eight rebounds and three assists.
She said a semi-final victory was the perfect way to celebrate the milestone.
“That was awesome, what a great way to celebrate it,” she said.
“It obviously wasn’t really mentioned, which is fine. I think honestly, to me, that feels like a very true and good representation of my 100 games here.
“Playing finals basketball is amazing and what an amazing win for the entire club. So for that to be a memory associated with my 100th game is awesome. It was a great day.”
Woods was one of three Opals camp debutants, with Lynx guard Miela Sowah and rising Adelaide star Isabelle Bourne earning their first call-ups.
Former Fire players Zitina Aokuso, Shyla Heal and Sami Whitcomb also made the squad.
Opals coach Sandy Brondello said Shiels and Woods would be strong additions to the camp.
“Saffron (Shiels) has conflicting commitments with the Gems but we’ll get her into camp, long 6’2 point guards are very rare,” Brondello said.
“Courtney, Miela and Isabelle have all earned their opportunity to be part of their first Opals camp and I’m looking forward to working with them and the whole squad.”
The WNBL grand final series will begin with game 1 on Wednesday, March 5.
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Originally published as Townsville Fire stars earn Opals call-up as Courtney Woods hits WNBL milestone
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