AFTER making her State Basketball League debut at 14, Casey ‘Milo’ Mihovilovich is still going strong 19 years later.
And it isn’t as if Mihovilovich is slowing down.
After 14 games so far this season she averages 19.1 points per game, 7.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.9 steals.
In 2011 she was named the league’s most valuable player, averaging 16.7ppg, 7.7 boards, 5.8 assists and 3.3 steals.
Her form this year was backed up with selection in the South All-Stars team on Monday in which she was selected to start and finished the game with seven points and six boards.
Mihovilovich described her selection as an “honour and a privilege”.
Despite her MVP and all-star accolades, there is one thing which has alluded her in her 19 years of playing SBL; a championship.
The 33-year-old has played in four losing grand finals.
Mihovilovich believes the team has what it takes to go back to the finals this season.
“Everyone is a year older which is a positive. If you take Gemma [Thomas], Shelley [Boston] and myself out of it the average age is probably 19 or 20,” she said.
“We definitely are better and I think the major contributor is everyone is a year older and wiser and more experienced.”
Mihovilovich, who has captained the side for 15 years, said youngsters Ashlee Sidebottom and Emma Klasztorny were the future leaders of the Magic SBL side.
“Those girls are great on the court and I consider them leaders for future years but they still have to work hard ,” she said. “We got Peyton [Davis] and it’s good to see our bigs start dominating because not every other team has two bigs as we have Ashlee Sidebottom as well.”
She said the key to her strong form after 19 years was continuously putting in hard work.
“I think the reason why I am still playing well is because I am putting in the extra work,” she said.
“I do know what it takes.
“I’ll keep trying for as long as I can, hopefully for a couple more years.”
Mihovilovich, who also suited up for the Perth Lynx 10 years ago, hasn’t played all 19 seasons, missing several games due to pregnancy and surgeries.
Although she is closer to the finish of her career than to the start, she has no plans of stopping any time soon.
“I am here at 5.30 in the morning because I try not to take away time from my kids,” the mother of two said.
“While they are sleeping I am here training and shooting. I just try and keep fit and put in the extra work.
“If I am going to do something I will do it properly.”
Mihovilovich praised current coach Randy Miegel for having a strong plan in place for the season.
“He has a goal which is to keep winning,” she said.
“We talk about working hard and doing the extra sessions and that will make sure that we are up there and that is in our hands.
“The whole team does the extra individual sessions.”
Although she is one of the most dominant players in the competition, Mihovilovich still sees room for improvement.
“I’d love to improve my offence and shooting percentage and its only a matter of time before it gets there,” she said.
