Harriet Ottewill-Soulsby has been handed the responsibility of captaining the U20 Women when they step out at the U20 European Championship Division B this week.
Having recently participated with the senior team at EuroBasket Women 2015, the centre will be an influential figure when the action gets underway in Podgorica.
“Harriet was selected to lead the team for this year’s programme as it’s clear to see she takes this role very seriously,” confirmed play-caller Karen Burton, who will hold the coaching reins in Montenegro. “She is constantly talking and leading everyone – both on and off the floor. Having coached Harriet at U16 level, it’s great to get the opportunity to work with her again.”
She will be joined in the paint by Hannah Peacock, who also attended the senior camp before only just missing out on a ticket to EuroBasket Women 2015.
Coach Burton expects the pair to bring their added ‘know-how’ to the team.
She said, “It is good to have two players who have been with the senior women, since they bring their leadership skills and experience into a relatively inexperienced squad. I am really pleased with how our preparation has gone. The players have really gelled together and pushed each other in practice.
“They know what the challenge is ahead of them and the feeling in the camp is that we will surprise a few people. I can guarantee not one of these players will let themselves down and give anything less than 100% when wearing the GB vest.”
The final roster is as follows:
Evelyn Adebayo (Barking Abbey Crusaders, GBR)
Mollie Campbell (University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, USA)
Georgia Elliott-King (Leicester Riders, GBR)
Megan Lewis (New Hampton Academy, USA)
Robyn Lewis (Leicester Riders, GBR)
Harriet Ottewill-Soulsby (Lafayette University, USA)
Hannah Peacock (City of Edinburgh Kool Kats, GBR)
Sadie Russell (Barking Abbey Crusaders, GBR)
Bethany Sarson (Oaklands College Wolves, GBR)
Kirsten Simpson (City of Edinburgh Kool Kats, GBR)
Sarah Thomson (Team Northumbria, GBR)
Freya Szmidt (University of Calgary, CAN)
Great Britain are scheduled to play a gruelling nine games with the tournament schedule as follows (UK times):
02/07 v Israel (15.10)
03/07 v Austria (12.50)
04/07 v Greece (15.10)
06/07 v Montenegro (17.30)
07/07 v Sweden (19.50)
08/07 v Bulgaria (19.50)
10/07 v Lithuania (15.10)
11/07 v Bosnia and Herzegovina (10.30)
12/07 v Romania (10.30)
