Flames post huge first win
AROON Edgar took just one game to justify her move into the starting lineup, guiding the Townsville Flames to a thumping 38-point victory over Cairns last night. Edgar was a dominant force at NPA Stadium, nailing a game-high 21 points in the 82-44 win as the Flames picked up from where they left off to open their QBL campaign. It was a different story for the men as the Heat were thrashed by the Marlins by 27 points.
After Edgar spent the bulk of Townsville's two national championship charges coming off the bench, coach Mark Wrobel said she fully earned her starting stripes last night. As well as top scoring and shooting at 10 of 15 from the field, the forward pulled down nine rebounds and had five steals.
"It's something that she set a challenge for herself this year. She's made the move into the starting group from off the bench last year," Wrobel said. "She came out and was aggressive on the offensive end, but probably the biggest impression for me with her was the five steals. "She's probably not a noted defender but came out and really got aggressive and had some good deflections to go along with those steals."
Edgar was supported by Cherie Smith (17 points, seven rebounds, five assists) and Kirby Dalgleish (13 points, 11 rebounds) (pictured above) as Townsville surged early and never looked back. Townsville led 24-12 at quarter time before jumping out to 41-22 at the main break and 53-32 at the end of the third term. With the Flames shooting at just 41 per cent from the field, Wrobel said there was plenty of improvement left on offence, but he was rapt with his charges' defensive efforts.
"To hold Cairns to 44 points and 29 per cent from the field for the game was a pretty good effort," he said. "We kept them to 12, 10, 10 and 12 points each quarter - they never really got away at any stage - so it was a consistent defensive effort throughout the game."
In the men's, Cairns were far too good for Townsville, who were missing Crocodiles NBL star Cameron Tovey, running out victors 111-84. By Antony Stewart, The Townsville Bulletin.
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