BASKETBALL
FIBA
BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
THE first round of selections have been announced for the Australia Gems Under 19 squad ahead of the upcoming FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup in Czechia this July.
Traralgon’s Asha Nightingale was one of the 18 players selected and one of seven Victorians picked, by far the most of any state.
Nightingale has been prominent on the local sports scene, including netball.
Last year, she flew back from Perth on Grand Final morning to help Traralgon win the Gippsland League B Grade netball premiership.
Renae Garlepp leads as head coach with an AIS camp taking place from May 12 to 15 to analyse and refine a talented Gems group ahead of the FIBA junior tournament.
The FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup has a historically strong success rate from a local perspective.
Fellow Traralgon exports Jade Melbourne and Jenna O’Hea (19 caps) have both led Australia in the World Cup in the past, with Melbourne obtaining a silver medal with the Gems in 2021.
The Gems last hit-out proved lacklustre, finishing just ninth in Madrid – they’ll be aiming to climb right back up into the medal games.
The FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup takes place from July 12 to July 20.
