Ex-Opal mothers named Jenny link Launceston Tornadoes' two key imports for 2021.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Family friends but never teammates, Keely Froling and new recruit Teyla Evans will play together for the first time when the NBL1 season begins on April 17.
Evans' mother Jenny (nee Reisner) and Froling's parents Shane and Jenny (nee Lind) were at the AIS together in 1985-86 and both families have since continued a proud tradition of basketballing success.
Froling's twin sister and younger brothers are playing in the WNBL and NBL respectively while each of Evans' five siblings have played the sport at a high level.
Evans, who arrived in Launceston at the weekend and trained with new teammates on Monday, said she was excited to form a fearsome on-court connection with her fellow Queenslander.
"I've known her all through juniors, so knowing she was in the team made the decision a lot easier and I think we're going to be a strong team," the 25-year-old, 182cm shooting guard said.
"She was the year under me, so she played with my siblings, but I've seen her play and come up with the rest of her family playing as well.
"I know how she plays and I'm definitely looking forward to being on the court on the same team as her.
"We're both quite athletic and can get under the basket on defence for those rebounds and our scoring ability will be a big help for the team."
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT
Evans has played in SEABL, QBL and Big V competitions in recent years and had been set to line up with Eltham Wildcats in 2020 before COVID wiped out the NBL1 South season.
She hopes a successful season with the Tornadoes will pave the way for a return to the WNBL, where she held a development contract with Dandenong Rangers in 2014-15.
"I feel like I have bit more fire in the belly to get out and play again [after COVID] - it's been way too long without having any games so I'm ready to go," Evans said.
"I want to make it back into the WNBL and having someone like Keely on the team who's on that level will be a massive help to getting back there."
The Tornadoes have all but locked in their squad for 2021, with one final recruit set to be announced in coming weeks.
Coach Sarah Veale said the addition of another tall, athletic player in Evans was just what the doctor ordered and was delighted with how the group had performed in their first full-squad training session.
"Monday night I think you had to see it to believe it - the intensity was manic," Veale said.
"The girls were super excited, so we'll get through that process of being nervous and excited all at once but we couldn't be prouder of the group we've put together and how they're all here early - we need to make the most of it."
The 2021 NBL1 South fixture is yet to be released.