Opals win opener in China

The Australian Opals won their opening match of a six-game tournament in Bao Shan, China on Friday night, taking a three-point win over Russia, 74-71.

The 2006 Shanghai Baoshan International Women’s Basketball Tournament also features China and the Czech Republic and will continue over the next week.

The Opals started very strongly, with some great inside play from Jenny Whittle and Hollie Grima, and leadership from point guard Alicia Poto. The Opals managed to take a ten-point lead into the first break, 17-7.

The Australians maintained their lead until half way through the second quarter when their offensive flair dried up and the taller Russian team took advantage under the basket to come back and take a 31-30 lead at half time.

Coach Jan Stirling gave the Opals some positive and strong reinforcement at half time in the change rooms saying they needed better containment of the ball and to maintain their aggression offensively.

The Opals came out after half time and stayed with the Russians until five minutes to go in the term when the Opals’ extended their defensive pressure. The strong defence was led by Kathleen Macleod, Katrina Hibbert, Emma Randall and Jacinta Hamilton, and some great shooting by Deanna Smith helped the Opals to an eight-point lead at the final break.

At the start of the fourth quarter the Russians switched defence to zone and the Australians were able to maintain their lead through good veteran leadership by Poto and Whittle, and good offensive play from Carly Wilson, Hamilton and Randall.

The Russians closed within three points in the last minute and a half, but the Opals’ defensive pressure and rebounding enabled a narrow win, 74-71.

“It is very pleasing to see such a young team get a first up win in a tournament of this stature and against a classy team like the Russian National Team who were also missing some of their Olympic players,” Coach Stirling said.

The Opals are without six of their senior players who recently played in the Opals World Challenge and Commonwealth Games – Jackson (Seattle), Snell (Phoenix), Summerton & Phillips (Connecticut), Bevilaqua (Indiana) and Cross (San Antonio).

SCORERS/REBOUNDERS

Australia

Emma Randall 12 points/3 rebounds
Jacinta Hamilton 11 points/3 rebounds/3 assists
Jenny Whittle 9 points/3 rebounds/3 assists
Carly Wilson 7 points/6 rebounds
Jenni Screen 5 points/6 rebounds/2 assists/1 steal

Russia

Elena Karpova 17 points/4 rebounds
Oxana Zakalyuzna 12 points/5 rebounds
Marina Kuzina 9 points/3 rebounds
Natnlia Vodopyanova 9 points/6 rebounds

Following this tournament the squad will regroup for a camp in Australia in late July and will leave for an extended tour in late August in the lead up to the World Championship tip off against Lithuania on September 12. The World Championship team will be named in late July.

Limited seats for an exclusive Opals supporter's tour to Brazil are now on sale and you can find more information on Basketball Australia's website.

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Opals name new team for Chinese tour (Fri Jun 16)