Australian Devils Claim Silver at U25 World Champs

The Australian Devils, women’s U25 wheelchair basketball team has won a silver medal at the World Championships in China.

Despite not winning the ultimate prize, the Devils concluded a very successful campaign by claiming silver after a 35-44 loss to Great Britain in an absorbing finale.

A defensive battle saw the match evenly poised at 6-6 at quarter-time, with the pressure from both sides enormous.

Uncontested shots were difficult to come by with neither side able to break the deadlock. The Devils finally got some breathing room through Georgia Munro-Cook, gaining a four-point lead at the long break.

A third foul to WAIS athlete Amber Merritt just before the main break threatened to derail Australia’s momentum as Great Britain turned deficit into a three-point lead mid-way through the third quarter.

Australia responded to make it a one-point ball-game as the match headed towards a thrilling conclusion.

Great Britain jumped to a nine-point advantage with six minutes to play and needing an injection of tenacity, coach David Gould inserted Hannah Dodd and Jess Cronje into the game.

Their activity and speed around the court allowed Merritt to get free for a couple of mid-range baskets but Amy Conroy of Great Britain would not be denied, with her 19 points helping GB to victory.

For the Devils, Merritt finished with a game high 21 points to combine with 12 rebounds while fellow WAIS scholarship holders Georgia Inglis and Sarah Vinci added four each. WAIS was also represented by Natalie Alexander.

The Australian Devils have now earned consecutive silver medals at IWBF World Championship level, after also finishing second in 2011. A core of this 2015 Devils squad is expected to represent Australia at next year’s Paralympic Games in Rio, however, the Gliders – Australia’s senior women’s side – still need to qualify.

-with BasketballAus