Increase Textsize Decrease Textsize   Email to a friend

Cox takes on the US

Emma Greenwood

Saturday, August 23, 2008

© The Cairns Post

 

HER parents are courtside and her daughter and partner will be parked in front of the television at Gordonvale tonight as Cairns Dolphin Rohanee Cox attempts to win herself the perfect birthday present -- Olympic gold.

Cox has hit sterling form as the Opals prepare to take on nemesis the US in tonight’s women’s basketball gold medal match in Beijing.

Penny Taylor will play despite still receiving treatment on her injured ankle but the Opals can find solace in the form of Cox off the bench this tournament.

She has shone in the Opals’ past two games against China and the Czech Republic, finishing with a total of 18 points in 35 minutes on court.

And she is likely to have a leading role again tonight given the depth of the US team and some worry about Taylor’s ankle.

"I’ll definitely be there," said Taylor, who refuses to miss the biggest game of her career.

"It’s not too bad, it’s a little swollen and a little sore but it’ll be fine to go."

The final is part three of an Olympic trilogy that twice so far has ended with the Americans standing triumphantly atop the podium, at the Sydney Olympics and again in Athens.

Olympic gold seemed out of reach for Cox back in 2000 when she was pregnant with daughter Alyriah, now seven, and out of basketball.

But she returned to the Opals squad in 2006 and has worked her way into great form in Beijing just in time to face the game’s toughest challenge, a final against the US, who have a perfect 13-0 record against Australia in major competitions.

The Opals won their first ever major international tournament at the 2006 world championships, but didn’t have to face the US, who were knocked out in the semi-finals.

The Australians have steadily improved with each game in Beijing, however, and Taylor, Lauren Jackson and the rest of the team firmly believe their time has come.

"Of course we’re desperate. Why wouldn’t we be desperate?" coach Jan Stirling said.

America reached the decider with a comfortable semi-final victory over Russia, while the Taylor-less Opals easily brushed aside China.

 



also in
<strong>Northern light: </strong>Hezron Murgha scores a try for the Northern Pride in their win over Souths Logan on Sunday.

Cup key to league stronghold

FORMER Cairns Cyclones coaches are thrilled about the Northern Pride's success, saying the region needs to maintain a pathway to the elite level for its rugby league  talent.  more

<strong>Springboard: </strong>Rohanee Cox does her stuff for the Cairns Dolphins this year.

Opal's Olympic glow an inspiration for youngsters

ROHANEE Cox's Olympic dream was reignited the night she saw Cathy Freeman win gold in Sydney in 2000. 
more

<strong>Stepping up:</strong> Shogun Heat's Col Baira swings into action during the unconvincing Cairns Baseball League 12-9 victory against Cubs on Sunday.

Shake-up for sluggish Heat

MINOR premiers Shogun Heat took the points but little else from its 12-9 Cairns Baseball League majors competition victory over Cubs at Trinity Beach on Sunday.  
more

<strong>Strong effort: </strong>  Damon Kelly loses his grip in Beijing before bouncing back to place ninth.

Kelly pumped to push on and challenge for London medal

ATHERTON-born weightlifter Damon Kelly longs for the day when he can train fulltime. 
more

Cup final closes in

THE Northern Pride are one win away from a Queensland Cup grand final berth in their first season in the competition. more



Comments

See all comments >>

Comments

We welcome your comments on this story. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Please provide your full name. We also require a working email address - not for publication, but for verification. The location field is optional. Read our publication guidelines.

Submit your feedback here:

Full name: Email address:
Location (optional):
Your comments:
(max 1200 characters)
  Remember my details

(So you don't have to retype your details each time you send feedback.)

 

Email me if my comment is published