LAUREN Mansfield is optimistic she will finally get her chance to impress on the world stage.
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The Launceston Tornadoes captain, 27, is one of six in-form SEABL stars named to participate in the upcoming Australian Opals selection camp for the FIBA Asia Women’s Cup.
Mansfield, Geelong Supercats duo Alex Bunton and Sara Blicavs, Maddie Garrick (Kilsyth Cobras), Carley Mijovic (Frankston Blues) and Louella Tomlinson (Melbourne Tigers) will head to Phoenix, Arizona, from June 25 to July 3.
From there 12 players will be chosen to represent Australia at the cup in Bangalore, India, from July 23-29.
Mansfield was named in the Opals squad late in last season’s campaign but was unable train due to an ankle injury. This time she is determined to show her full potential.
“I’m very excited to be put into the squad again, to get to training camp and show what I can do,” she said.
“You’ve got to be confident in yourself, I’m definitely confident that I’m good enough and I believe in myself.
“It is just a matter of being prepared and working hard when I get over there.”
Mansfield is recording season-high averages across all categories with 18.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists in her 11 matches.
The 170-centimetre Tornadoes star also leads the league with 13 more steals than any other player, 63 assists and is placed fourth for total defensive rebounds.
However, Mansfield said she can still improve.
“I’m definately having my best SEABL season but I think there are still a lot of things I’m not doing so well,” she said.
“This weekend I had a lot of turnovers and I think I need to be better at looking after the ball.
“I’m fairly critical of myself and I think that’s what motivates me to be better.”
Mansfield will miss Tornadoes’ matches against Albury-Wodonga in round 12 and Geelong in round 13, while she is at the camp, and possibly several more if she survives the final cut.
“I’ll be able to go up against some of the best basketball players in Australia, and that is amazing and something I’ve always dreamt about,” she said.
“I’m very happy and I’m sure I’ll be nervous leading up to the camp but I’m very excited to get there and give it a crack.”
The Opals will be aiming for a semi-final berth with the top four teams guaranteed a place at the 2018 World Cup.
The Torns next play Ballart at home on Saturday night.
Corey Martin
Having started at The Examiner as a cadet in 2009, I have held various positions telling the stories of Northern Tasmanians in sport and news. I was appointed deputy editor in 2019 and became editor in September 2021.
Having started at The Examiner as a cadet in 2009, I have held various positions telling the stories of Northern Tasmanians in sport and news. I was appointed deputy editor in 2019 and became editor in September 2021.
