Fallon Returns To Help Opals Shine
Illawarra Mercury
Tuesday April 20, 1999
The return of veteran forward Trisha Fallon will further boost the Australian Opals basketball team as it builds up to Saturday night's clash with Cuba at the Wollongong Entertainment Centre.
Fallon, who had been playing in the Italian club competition for Familia Schio, will arrive in Australia in time to prepare for the Wollongong match, the last in a five-match series.
Australia won the opening two games of the series on the weekend.
Seventeen-year-old superstar Lauren Jackson has led the team in scoring in both matches despite the Cubans getting physical towards her in game two on Sunday night.
She recorded 25 points and nine rebounds in the opening game in Melbourne before hitting 16 points and pulling down seven boards in game two in Bendigo.
``I was not really happy with how I played in the second game," Jackson said from Albury last night.
``In the first game there was a lot more emotion with it being the first game of the series and Robyn Maher retiring, but tomorrow should not be a problem."
Fallon's return match will see the Opals at full strength for the Wollongong clash.
Coach Tom Maher said the match is a valuable opportunity to continue blending the majority of the intended Sydney 2000 squad.
He has used a 17-player squad following the departure of Robyn Maher, with Saturday night's squad arguably the strongest line-up to take to the pine.
The Opals team for Saturday night is: Kristen Veal, Sandy Brondello, Michelle Timms (c), Kristie Harrower, Lauren Jackson, Carla Porter, Jenny Whittle, Rachel Sporn, Jo Hill, Penny Taylor, Alicia Poto, Annie La Fleur, Trisha Fallon.
© 1999 Illawarra Mercury