COMING INTO Wednesday night’s game with a chance to take home the 2022/23 WNBL championship, the Townsville Fire needed someone to take the match by the scruff of the neck, and that person was experienced guard Steph Reid.

In the second of a best of three series, the Southside Flyers were fighting to keep their season alive, and as expected, put the pressure back on Townsville in game two. The Fire were suddenly forced into clawing their way back into the contest, and their star power managed get the visitors over the line for an 82-69 triumph at State Basketball Centre.

Speaking of star power, it was Reid who had the biggest impact on the contest on the offensive end, saving her best performance for last with a powerful showing in the championship-clinching affair. The Opal was a menace for the opposition defence, and played a vital role in Townsville lifting up the trophy at the end of the night.

Southside Flyers (69) def. by Townsville Fire (82)

Steph Reid – 20 points, two rebounds, four assists

As flagged on the Got Next Podcast earlier this week, Reid is one of Townsville’s most dangerous asset with her ability to combine scoring with playmaking, and it was the former that shone through on Wednesday.

She registered a team-high 20 points, an impressive feat given the scoring power of her teammates. Reid was the most impactful scorer for the Fire and helped lead a match-winning run late in the match.

From the field, the 26-year-old shot a handy 50 per cent, nailing eight baskets on 16 attempts in 33 minutes of play. As the game went on and her shot began to fall on a consistent basis, Reid began to have more responsibility on the offensive end.

Most of her work was done from two-point territory, with all eight baskets coming from inside the arc. A blend of mid-range and paint baskets were an excellent method of scoring, and she managed to create separation from her defender with explosive speed and clever dribble moves.

Given her willingness to attack the paint and score at the rack, Reid made a couple of trips to the free throw line, where she went a perfect four from four. Despite some of those attempts coming in big moments, with plenty of pressure attached, Reid was as cool as a cucumber and her class shone through.

Reid always had the capability to break open a match, whether it was with her shotmaking ability or clever passing. When the Fire needed a spark on the offensive end, she was the one to take over and get the team going scoring-wise, playing a crucial part in the side’s title.