TWO players crucial to Warrnambool Mermaids’ division one championship and an American import who dominated for Warrnambool Seahawks were crowned Big V all-star five players on Saturday night.
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Amy Wormald and Katie O’Keefe were picked in the division one women’s team and Xavier Johnson-Blount made it back-to-back places in the men’s division one line-up.
Mermaids coach Louise Brown said her players’ selection was the ideal finish to a memorable season.
Brown said O’Keefe’s return to the court after a lengthy layoff was impressive.
She averaged 12 points and six rebounds across her 23 games.
“As the season went on, she got better and better each game,” Brown said.
“She started the season a bit slow but that was to be expected after a three or four-year layoff and coming back from a knee reconstruction.
“She became a vital part of our team towards the end of the season.”
Wormald averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds across her 28 appearances.
“This was probably her best year of basketball I have seen her play in a long time,” Brown said.
“It’s a credit to herself and the effort she put in.”
Johnson-Blount, who spent three seasons in Australia, averaged 30 points and seven rebounds in his final season with Warrnambool.
He was part of the Seahawks’ drought-breaking 2016 championship.
Justine McCullagh-Beasy
Sports journalist with an interest in feature reporting. Email: justine.mc@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Sports journalist with an interest in feature reporting. Email: justine.mc@austcommunitymedia.com.au
