CHEKHOV/VIDNOE (2015 FIBA U19 Women's World Championship) - Lauren Scherf has revealed how working under Opals head coach Brendan Joyce is now helping her at the 2015 FIBA U19 Women’s World Championship.

The Australian center is competing at her second edition of the tournament, having climbed onto the podium in Klaipeda two years ago, although she only arrived last minute with her team.

That was because she had to hot foot in from the World University Games in Gwangju when part of a side which was badged by Basketball Australia as the 'Emerging Opals'.

"It was definitely a learning experience for me and I was just trying to embrace it and also learn from someone like Coach Joyce," revealed Scherf.

“It was a real eye-opener working under the Opals’ coach. - Scherf

"He has experience and obviously a lot of coaching talent - especially with him having been a player himself.

"He just wants us to all do really well at all levels of women's basketball.

"One of the things I have been looking to do, is to bring what I have learned from the older girls in Korea to this particular tournament and show to them what it means if you want to play at an even higher level."

Australia had to settle for fifth place after one poor quarter of basketball in the Quarter-Finals against Japan led to them being knocked out of medal contention in Gwangju.

"It was tough and it's always challenging playing against the speed and high tempo of many Asian teams such as Japan and Chinese Taipei," conceded Scherf.

"It was really disappointing but I am glad we came back to finish with wins against Hungary and Czech Republic.

"It showed our mental toughness to come back and get fifth place.

"I also guess with the change ahead in terms of Oceania and Asia eventually competing together, it is even more important we learn from these kind of experiences when we play Asian teams.

"That could make the difference for when some of us hopefully go on to play with the senior team in the future."

As for her ambitions in terms of making an impact in at the FIBA U19 Women's World Championship in Russia, Scherf is drawing inspiration from her success in 2013.

"There are three of us in myself, Tahlia [Tupaea] and Alicia [Froling] who were there two years ago in Lithuania for this competition and it was an incredible experience to get a medal," she smiled.

"Back then, we were all just trying to learn from some of the older players and now the situation has kind of reversed for us.

"We are now the ones trying to show the younger players the way - but even then, many of them actually played last year at the FIBA U17 Women's World Championship, which helps.

“We’re jumping out of our shoes right now at the prospect of trying to do well. -Scherf

"This kind of tournament is always hugely exciting.

"We all want this trip to Russia to be a winning experience," concluded Scherf.

Australia are unbeaten so far and will wrap up top spot in Group D if they beat Korea on Tuesday.

FIBA