By Roy Ward
FORMER Dandenong Rangers junior Liz Cambage experienced the highs and lows of top-level Olympic play within the Australian Opals semi-final loss to Team USA at the London Olympics overnight.
Cambage, from Mt Eliza, scored 19 points in the first half against a team which had won 39 straight Olympic matches and was chasing its fifth consecutive gold medal.
But after the main break Team USA’s defence clamped down on Cambage who barely got a shot in the second half as the USA went on to win 86-73 and set-up a gold-medal clash with France.
Dandenong Rangers star Jenna O’Hea put on one of her best performances of the games with 10 points and three assists. Fellow Ranger Sam Richards had five points and three assists in 17 minutes and fouled out in the final minutes.
Another Dandenong Rangers star Kath Macleod didn’t play in the final, nor did former Ranger Abby Bishop.
Cambage, who finished with 19 points, and the Opals will play Russia for the bronze medal.
Cambage is also a former Western Port Steelers junior player.
Opals captain Lauren Jackson led the way in the semi-final with 14 points and 17 rebounds while Dandenong Rangers star Jenna O’Hea put on one of her best performances of the games with 10 points and three assists.
The Opals will play Russia for the bronze medal on Sunday morning at 2am.
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