Launceston Tornadoes has conducted a shock backflip on filling the last import vacancy, announcing that star SEABL recruit Courtney Williams is set to play for the club on Saturday night.
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The former Ballarat Rush signing had been forced to part ways with the rival over a list of “misunderstandings”.
Basketball Ballarat told Fairfax Media that Williams was axed over failing to meet community standards in her role away from the court.
The organisation which employs Rush imports had not given iconic Ballarat coach Eric Hayes a say in the matter over issues that had little to do with performance.
“Things just didn’t work out there,” Williams said.
“We went through misunderstandings with the club and the organisation.
“I’m here and excited to work with the Tornadoes. It’s the next chapter in my life.”
Basketball Ballarat had revealed expectations were not met over promotional duties.
But Williams now plans to make amends at the Torns.
“When this opportunity came up, I took it,” she said.
“They gave me another opportunity and I’m thankful they gave me that chance.”
Williams insists the unexpected midseason switch will be advantageous had the club instead chose an unfamiliar player to the SEABL.
The 24-year-old has faced the Tornadoes twice this year and she believes that experience will benefit the team.
“I sort of already have a familiarity of how they play, so I can fit in and learn quicker than expected,” she said.
Williams is a one-time starter on the renowned Texas A&M University roster.
The 185cm talent that will debut under Dallas-based Derrick Washington against Melbourne Tigers plays positions one through to four.
“I just know he needs me to rebound, score, do different things on defence, help my teammates,” she said.
The Tornadoes board had decided last month not to seek a replacement for the injured Mikaela Ruef after a worldwide search for a ready-made player went cold.
Ruef ironically turned up in a knee brace at Friday’s media alert as an onlooker.
“We make decisions at the time with information that we have,” club chair Janie Finlay said on Friday.
“Initially with Mikaela’s injury, we had a great team here already supporting that we knew we could fold in behind and we knew Lauren [Mansfield] was due to arrive.
“But with the additional injury of Lauren and celebrating that she is going away for Opals that takes her out of the program as well, to be able to bring someone else who can qualify of the calibre of Courtney is something we are really excited about.”