Most of the talk in New Zealand basketball circles at the weekend will be about the chances of the Sky City Breakers and their quest to deny North Queensland club, Cairns Taipans their first NBL title.
However, just over 3,000km north west of Auckland a couple of Kiwis will themselves be attempting to secure a first title for a certain Queensland club.
Tall Ferns Micaela Cocks and Jillian Harmon will line up for the Townsville Fire in the Australian Womens National Basketball League Final against Bendigo Spirit on Sunday.
The Fire and the Spirit clash in the championship decider for the third consecutive year. Bendigo have won the last two Grand finals but on this occasion Townsville have homed court advantage as they chase their elusive first title.
Olympians Cocks and Harmon have been terrific for the Fire. Both come off the bench for the regular season champions and are key contributors to the Townsville cause, each averaging 23 minutes court time a game.
Combo guard Cocks is shooting the three ball at a clip any player in any league would be happy with – 52.7%. The former North Harbour rep player has spent the last four seasons in Townsville after a standout college career at the University of Oregon. This season she is averaging 8.0pts, 1.5 rebs and 1.6 asists per game.
Harmon enjoyed an illustrious four years at the prestigious Stamford University, followed by five years of pro ball in Italy. Harmon is in her first year at the Fire. The power forward is averaging 6.8pts, 4.7rebs and 1.2 assists per game.
For a couple of hours on Sunday afternoon many Kiwis will be willing a Queensland team to a NBL title, it just won’t be a team from Cairns.
LACEY LOWDOWN 