By Nick Creely
Four Dandenong players have been selected in the Australian Opals Squad ahead of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in Bangalore, India.
The squad features both Sara and Stephanie Blicavs (nee Cumming) as well as prized new Rangers’ recruits Carley Mijovic and Tessa Lavey.
The squad will head to Phoenix, Arizona, from 25 June to 3 July for a selection camp, as Australia ramps up preparations for the 2018 FIBA World Cup, which teams can automatically qualify for by reaching the semi-finals in this competition.
The Opals have been drawn into Group B, where they will play Korea, Philippines and Japan in the pool stage. The tournament will start on 23 July.
Regular Opals head coach Sandy Brondello is unavailable for the Asia Cup due to her ongoing WNBA commitments, but the team will be led by assistant coaches Paul Goriss and Cheryl Chambers.
“The aim of the camp is to introduce the players to the concepts and game style that Sandy will install into the Opals program,” Goriss said.
“It also gives the coaching staff the opportunity to evaluate the players’ skill set that will help the team be successful in Bangalore.”
The squad is mixed with a great variety of experience and young talent, and includes six members of the Rio Olympic team in Lavey, Rachel Jarry, Laura Hodges, Katie-Rae Ebzery, Erin Phillips and Marianna Tolo.
“With the Olympic experience of players such as Snell, Phillips and Hodges alongside WNBA and European players in Jarry, O’Hea and Hurst, it will be a very tough and competitive camp,” Goriss said.
“The young brigade is also coming through in the form of Wallace and Smith who have both had outstanding years at USA colleges while the WNBL contingent have been recognised for their form and performances during last season.”
The full squad is:
Abby Bishop
Sara Blicavs
Stephanie Blicavs
Alex Bunton
Katie-Rae Ebzery
Maddie Garrick
Kelsey Griffin
Laura Hodges
Natalie Hurst
Rachel Jarry
Alice Kunek
Tessa Lavey
Lauren Mansfield
Carley Mijovic
Jenna O’Hea
Erin Phillips
Alanna Smith
Belinda Snell
Marianna Tolo
Louella Tomlinson
Kristy Wallace
