Morgan Yaeger’s career has been in the shadow of her back injuries until now.
After missing a full season of college and being unable to suit up in the Townsville Fire’s championship run in the WNBL last season, Yaeger is now healthy and on fire going into the NBL1 Central Preliminary Finals for the Southern Tigers.
The 2021 NBL1 Central champion has gone to the next level in 2023. She has developed her shot to become an elite shooter, bumping her average up to 21 points per game and was named to the NBL1 Central All-Star Five as a result.
YAEGER BOMBS ?
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Morgan Yaeger is unconscious from outside ?
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“Ever since I’ve been feeling good, I’ve been good (on the court),” Yaeger told NBL1 Media.
“My back was bad in Townsville, there were days where I couldn’t do anything.”
Townsville had a large core built from NBL1 stars, with the likes of 2023 NBL1 North MVP Courtney Woods and Steph Reid serving as mentors to the recovering Yaeger.
“Even though I wasn’t able to play or train, I was able to learn so much from them,” she explained.
“From Shannon (Seebohm), from Steph, all of them. I still feel like I got something out of it even though I couldn’t play.”
Not only is South Australia home, it’s where many of her closest allies, mentors and friends are – which often leads to her best seasons on the court.
“Just being around family, close friends and then obviously Matt Clarke (Tigers coach), he’s an absolute legend and I wouldn’t want to play for anyone else in the NBL1,” she said.
“Also my major mentors like Joey Wright, he’s always in my ear… the whole community around me, I just feel comfortable here.”
Alongside Yaeger on the first team was Mollie McKendrick. The early MVP favourite has been a double-double machine all season and the dynamic duo makes the Tigers a title contender.
“She put the entire team on her back at the start of the season while I was hurt,” Yaeger said.
“She’s the most unselfish player, amazingly talented, just does what’s best for her team.”
In the Qualifying Final, the Tigers lost to the Norwood Flames, but they fought back through the Semi-Finals for a re-match to reach the Grand Final.
The Tigers lost both regular-season match-ups against the Flames, only losing by 13 points total across the two games. However, Yaeger explained the record against the Flames doesn’t rest on their minds going into Saturday.
“It’s Finals, it’s an elimination game, and we are going to be giving it our all,” she said.
“I’m even excited to go to their place and play at Norwood’s court… I think Norwood and Sturt (Sabres) are very beatable for us.”
Watch the Southern Tigers take on the Norwood Flames in the Preliminary Final on Saturday, from 6:30pm ACST live via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App here.
