Fresh off the back of a Women’s National Basketball League championship with Sydney Uni, the Mandurah Magic’s Carly Boag is eyeing a high finish with her State Basketball League side.
Boag has now played two games with the Magic and will play a third when the team takes on Cockburn tonight.
While the star centre is still working her way into the fold of the WSBL, she has high hopes for her new outfit.
“The teammates are amazing – everyone gets along off the court and that helps everyone get along on the court as well,” she said.
“I’ve only been here for three weeks or so, and I already feel like I’ve known them for much longer than that.
“It’s hard for me to put any expectation on us because I’ve only just got here but I feel really good about the team.
“I know they’ve made finals and semi finals in the past. Obviously we’re out to win and I think I can we finish pretty high.”
Boag spent time playing college basketball at Minot State University in the United States, and is hoping to use her experience at high levels to help lead the Magic.
“Hopefully I can lead by example on the court. I’ve played under same great players like Belinda Snell and Leilani Mitchell so hopefully I can pass some stuff on,” she said.
“I don’t really have to come in and be a leader because the senior players in the team have that covered.
“Girls like Emma (Klasztorny), Rachel (Halleen) and Milo (Casey Mihovilovich) have been around for a while and they give you awesome support.”
Boag’s first outing in a Magic uniform saw her finish with 17 points and 10 rebounds in 32 minutes of floor time, impressive numbers for someone who had just jumped off a plane.
She followed the double-double with another in her second game, scoring 20 points and grabbing 11 rebounds (six offensive) as her team dominated the Kalamunda Eastern Suns.
But despite her strong start, Boag remains modest and is looking to offer more moving forward.
“I think I could have played a bit better in my first game,” she said.
“I’ll keep working my way into the team and hopefully get better and better as time goes on.”
The Magic travel to take on the winless Cockburn tonight, with the women’s side looking to keep their unbeaten start to 2017 alive.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
