Lauren Nicholson believes her SEABL most valuable player award could spur the Launceston Tornadoes on to finals glory.
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Derrick Washington’s team travels to undefeated Bendigo on Saturday in the first week of finals and their stand-in captain said confidence couldn’t be higher.
“We are going into the finals series believing that we can beat anyone,” Nicholson said.
“We just need to put it together on the night. We are really looking forward to going back to Bendigo with a chance to turn the tables on them.
“I think the team has started to play some good basketball over the past month or so. It probably took us some time early in the season to get on the same page with Derrick's new style of play, but now we are all working together well.”
An ultra-consistent season where she earned seven team of the week nominations saw Nicholson included in the SEABL all-star team and collect the MVP award voted by coaches and referees after each game.
“This was a really big surprise,” she said. “I knew I was in with a chance of being top 10, but thought players from the leading teams may have polled better.
“I think I have had a consistent season and that is probably what helped me win the award. I started really well, with player of the week in round 2, then had a few nominations for team of the week during the year.
“Derrick has certainly helped me this season. He identified some areas that I could improve at the start of the season and we have been working on them all year. He certainly has a passion for basketball and making his players better.”
Nicholson led the league scoring at 25.0 points per game and also pulled down 8.8 rebounds and provided 2.3. She shot at 56.2 per cent from the field and her three-point percentage was 49.1.
Nicholson arrived at the Tornadoes in 2017 after being recommended by coach Reece Potter. She had returned from playing four years in the US college system and WNBL with the Sydney Flames.
She developed her game during the 2017 SEABL season, where she averaged 17.2 points and 7.4 rebounds, steering the Tornadoes to the South Conference Final.
She then signed with Adelaide Lightning in the WNBL for the 2018-19 season, playing every game and averaging 7.95 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists.
Nicholson has captained the Tornadoes for much of this season due to an ankle injury to Lauren Mansfield.
Last season Nicholson led the Devonport Basketball Club to the NWBU title and has taken them to another grand final this season.
She leads the NWBU points, averaging 21.11 per game and is third in rebounds (10.78), second with 2.33 steals and leads the free-throw percentage with 89.06.