Posted on 20 February, 2020
NBL1 Finals MVP Lauren Nicholson has re-signed with the NBL1 Cobra Women for the 2020 season.
Nicholson returns for a second season with Kilsyth, following a spectacular 2019 campaign in which she led the Cobras to the inaugural NBL1 championship. The leagues premier two-way player, Nicholson boasted remarkable numbers in 2019, leading the Cobras in scoring (25.1ppg) on 49 percent shooting from the field, 37% from deep and 83% from the foul line. Nicholson also led the Cobras in assists (3.5apg) and steals (1.7spg – tied with Klara Wischer) and ranked third on the team in rebounding (6.0rpg), with her across the board dominance securing the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award and a place on the NBL1 All-Star Five.
Nicholson’s stellar season was capped by an incredible 36-point, 10-rebound, six-assist performance in the NBL1 Championship Game against Geelong, with her remarkable postseason numbers (29.3ppg/7.0rpg/4.0apg/2.7spg) making her an easy choice for Finals MVP honours. While she was unstoppable on the offensive end in the postseason, Nicholson’s defensive dominance was equally impressive, as she hounded fellow Australian Opals squad members, Maddie Garrick and Sara Blicavs, into a combined 8-for-31 shooting – and a combined 18 points below their season scoring average – during the Cobras Preliminary and Grand Final victories over Nunawading and Geelong, respectively.
Her monster NBL1 campaign saw her secure a place on the Australian Opals FIBA Asia Cup and Olympic Qualifier teams, with Nicholson helping the Opals secure a berth for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The former Saint Mary’s star has also been named to the Australian 3×3 team which will compete at the FIBA Olympic Qualifiers in late March, and is currently in the midst of a WNBL playoff run with the Adelaide Lightning.
Cobras head coach Sam Woosnam is thrilled to have her superstar guard returning to Kilsyth for a second season, and pointed to her unmatched work ethic as the driving force behind her incredible 2019 on the floor.
“I’m over the moon that Loz is returning to the Cobras and really looking forward to working with her again,” Woosnam said.
“She brings so much more to our team than what you see on the floor.”
“Loz is one of the hardest working players I’ve ever seen; she works on her game day in, day out, and is always striving to improve, which is why she had such a successful season both individually and team wise. I’m sure the Cobra fans are just as excited to see her back in the black and red this season.”
Nicholson echoed Woosnam’s excitement, noting that the fun she had both on and off the floor with the Cobras close-knit group made returning in 2020 a no-brainer.
“I’m stoked to be a Cobra again in 2020,” Nicholson said.
“Last season was one of the ‘funnest’, most successful seasons I’ve had, making the decision to return an easy one.”
“These girls are like my sisters and Sam (Woosnam) is wonderful to play for, so I couldn’t be more wrapped to be a part of this program again.”
Nicholson will join the Cobras at the conclusion the FIBA 3×3 Qualifiers in India, ahead of their regular season home opener – a showdown with the rival Knox Raiders – on Saturday April 18.
