‘A lot enjoyable’: Ellis on the enjoyment of taking part in for the Fire

Townsville star Abbey Ellis walked the speak in entrance of just about 3,000 followers because the Fire demolished UC Capitals 101-61 on the Townsville Entertainment Centre in Round 6 of WNBL26 on Saturday, November 22, 2025.

Ellis had 15 factors on 6-from-7 from the sector, grabbed 4 boards, dished six assists and two steals in just below 24 minutes for the league main 6-1 Fire.

“It’s just so much fun to play,” Ellis stated.

“Being at home gives you that extra bit of energy. We started off as the aggressor on both ends — making sure everyone gets a touch offensively, and then defensively having early talk and being physical. It flowed from there. It was very fun to watch and to be part of.

“It’s what they (followers) deserve. They assist us each week, and we’ve been away for thus lengthy.

“They deserve to see us show out here. It’s a fun brand of basketball to watch and to play. Kudos to coach Shannon (Seebohm) — we prepare really hard during the week. Practice is hard, and the reward is the game, enjoying the wins, and enjoying how we play.

“We’ll take confidence from this recreation. The defensive vitality was nice. Last recreation in opposition to Adelaide a number of of their gamers had high-scoring nights, so we actually need to hone in on that.

“But we’ll just focus on our brand of basketball, control what we can, and play hard.

Seebohm praised Ellis as six Townsville players were in double figures: Courtney Woods (18); Ellis (15); Lucy Olsen (15); Miela Sowah (14); Alicia Froling (14); and Alex Fowler (13).

“I’ve to offer credit score to Abbey,” Seebohm said.

“The approach she began defensively set the tone for everyone. Her full-court pick-ups of Jade Melbourne, the strain, all of the issues we’ve been speaking about for her improvement… I believed her defence — getting round ball screens, staying in performs — actually acquired everybody else going.

“That allowed us to get off to a pretty quick start, and it just flowed from there.

“We talked final week about being a workforce with a number of contributors. It’s arduous to key in on one individual. I don’t see us having somebody drop 30+ persistently.

“We’re best when we share the ball, execute, and keep finding where teams are helping from and who they’re helping off.

“I really feel like we’ve performed that fairly properly the final couple of weeks.

“I’m sure Canberra would be disappointed, but I was expecting them to be fired up.

“Earlier within the season we had an analogous margin in opposition to them, so we knew they’re a proud workforce with nice gamers — two Opals, Olympian-type gamers. Anytime you face that form of workforce you’ve acquired to be able to play at your greatest, and I felt like we did that as we speak.”

The Capitals slipped to 2-5 and a half-game behind the Lightning, who are fifth.

Key Details

By the Numbers

• Courtney Woods (Townsville Fire) starred with 18 factors, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and two fouls drawn in 27 minutes.
• Jayda Clark (UC Capitals) scored 10 factors and had one help in 20 minutes.

What Happened

The Fire established full management from the opening tip, constructing a commanding 26-18 lead after the primary quarter and by no means trying again. They prolonged their benefit to 57-31 at halftime earlier than cruising by the second half to safe the emphatic 40-point victory. Townsville’s balanced offensive assault proved an excessive amount of for the struggling Capitals, who managed simply 61 factors on poor capturing all through the competition.

Courtney Woods led the Fire’s offensive cost with an excellent 18-point efficiency, capturing an environment friendly 4-from-6 from past the arc and ideal 4-from-4 from the charity stripe. Abbey Ellis and Lucy Olsen every contributed 15 factors in stellar supporting roles, with Ellis capturing an ideal 2-from-2 from downtown and Olsen connecting on 3-from-5 triples. Alicia Froling dominated the paint with 14 factors and eight boards, whereas Miela Sowah added 14 factors within the complete workforce effort.

The Fire’s capturing skill was the defining issue on this lopsided affair. They shot a formidable 55.81% from the sector (24-from-43) in comparison with the Capitals’ dismal 37.25% (19-from-51). From past the arc, Townsville related on 12-from-26 makes an attempt for a strong 46.15%, whereas UC managed simply 3-from-23 for a woeful 13.04%. The Fire additionally managed the charity stripe, changing 17-from-21 makes an attempt at an excellent 80.95% clip.

Defensively, Townsville’s strain compelled the Capitals into tough pictures whereas cleansing the glass successfully. The Fire out-rebounded UC 54-37, with 15 offensive boards resulting in essential second-chance alternatives. Nyadiew Puoch led the Capitals with 5 steals however could not generate sufficient stops to decelerate Townsville’s relentless offensive assault.

For the struggling Capitals, Jayda Clark’s 10 factors led a lacklustre offensive show that noticed them rating in single digits in the course of the second quarter. Jade Melbourne managed 9 factors regardless of capturing struggles, whereas Sara Blicavs and Kadiatou Sissoko every contributed eight factors within the disappointing defeat. The loss highlighted UC’s ongoing challenges on each ends of the courtroom.