WITH their backs against the wall, the Opals delivered a great performance to win bronze at the FIBA World Championships.
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It was a great tournament, one that everyone involved with should be proud of.
To win against Turkey, on its home court is a great achievement.
After losing key player Liz Cambage before the tournament, the Australians made some changes and quickly adjusted to a different game plan.
Head coach Brendan Joyce said the bronze medal win was his proudest moment in basketball.
The Opals lost to USA in the semi-final by just 12 points but came out firing in the third-place play-off match.
Bendigo Spirit trio Tessa Lavey (pictured), Belinda Snell and Gabe Richards were a part of the team.
What an experience it would have been for them, especially for Tessa and Gabe.
Both players are at different ends of their basketball careers.
Tessa is just at the beginning of her career.
She is a wonderful talent and will no doubt continue to go on to bigger and better things.
During the last season of the WNBL she was in the shadows of legend Kristi Harrower.
However this year, she could make her mark on the competition.
With Kristi's playing future up in the air, Tessa could make her way into the starting five.
Tessa will be one to watch this season
Bernie Harrower said on Monday that Tessa had proved she could play against the best.
Tessa will be one to watch this season.
Then there is Gabe Richards.
Before the championships began she wasn't in the Opals team, she admitted she was going to watch the games on TV.
But an injury to Cambage meant Gabe's fairytale of representing her country had come true.
She has worked so hard over the past two years and deserved the call-up.
The world championship bronze medal is a reward for her effort over the years.
Gabe's determination is what junior basketballers should look up to.
Bendigo Spirit's newest recruit Belinda Snell also put on another stellar performance during the world championship.
She has played all over the world and is set to add a different dimension to the the two-time WNBL champions.
Snell ended the world championships with 100 per cent efficiency from the free throw line.
Her coolness under pressure is sure to help the Spirit during tight and close games.
Bendigo will be up against it this season, other teams will be hunting them.
But throw in the likes of Kelsey Griffin and Kelly Wilson, the Spirit's pursuit of winning a third successive premiership may become a reality.
