The Opals were comprehensively handled by Team USA in their semifinal in Paris. But there’s still hope for excitement, beginning with a debutant.
Losing a game of basketball by 21 points – as the Opals did against Team USA on Friday night - might be one such time, and yet there were clear silver linings – the most clear being the performance of Olympic debutant Isobel Borlase.The 19-year-old came on late in the third quarter, played 14 minutes of game time, yet top scored for the Opals with 11 points, looking immediately more composed and dangerous than her seasoned teammates.
A comprehensive loss is at least useful in that regard, noted head coach Sandy Brondello, for the opportunity it gives you to get minutes into young players like Amy Atwell and Kristy Wallace, but especially Borlase.“She’s going to be a multiple Olympian – we think highly of her,” Brondello said. “Once that first one went in, you saw the confidence that she had. I think we’re going to need that going into the next game.
“I felt like we came out really flat,” said Brondello. “There wasn’t as much sense of urgency. I think the US had respect for us: they came out firing. But our shot selection wasn’t great, and they beat us back.”
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