Stepping up to stardom: behind Courtney Woods' breakthrough year

The Townsville Fire guard has seized her chance to start and is enjoying a career year

Last season, Lauren Nicholson called Courtney Woods the Townsville Fire’s “secret weapon”. Now, the secret’s out.

The 26 year old has been one of the season’s breakout stars and a major reason why the Fire sit atop the standings despite injuries to key signings like Tianna Hawkins and Alice Kunek.

Credit: May Bailey Photography

Woods has played big minutes – including playing every second against the Adelaide Lightning – and at the close of round 12, was averaging 13.4 points per game, doubling her tally of 6.7 from last season. A polished and versatile scorer, she is in the league’s top five for three-point percentage (39%) and field-goal percentage (50%) and has barely missed a free throw (92.2%). She’s also proved adept at jumping passing lanes and is ranked sixth in steals (1.7 per game).

“Before this year started and we had the injuries, I thought I could come off the bench and continue to be the kind of confident player that comes in and has an impact, especially offensively,” Woods tells The Pick and Roll.