Double tragedy rocks Australian basketball and beyond

NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen’s Women’s Basketball Worldwide) – Just a week after the triumphant scenes of the Opals winning bronze at London 2012, the emotions of joy have turned to despair and sadness for the women’s basketball family in Australia after the devastating loss of two young team-mates.
 
Twenty-year-old Stephanie Mylonas and 21-year-old Stacey Richter of Toowoomba Mountaineers were both tragically killed in a motor-vehicle accident over the weekend on the way back from their final game of the Queensland Basketball League (QBL) season.
 
With the rest of the players travelling home by bus, the pair chose to ride with fellow team-mate Jodie Wright along with her two children, all of whom received injuries and are receiving treatment in hospital.
 
Basketball Queensland has described Mylonas and Richter as “committed and treasured members of the basketball community”
 
They added, “The thoughts of the Queensland basketball community are with the families of Stephanie, Stacey and Jodie and the entire Toowoomba Basketball Association, during this incredibly difficult and sad time.”
 
A host of senior Australian players immediately paid their tributes online with Liz Cambage tweeting, “Sending thoughts, prayers and love up to the Toowoomba girls families, friends and community RIP xx”
 
Meanwhile NBA player Andrew Bogut echoed that sentiment by tweeting: “Thoughts and prayers go out to the young Toowoomba girls heading home from a basketball road trip.”
 
Respects to the duo will be paid via a minute’s silence at the QBL men’s and women’s finals matches over the next fortnight.
 
It goes without saying that at any time, such a tragedy is tough to even contemplate.
 
But, so soon after the elation of the Olympics, the fact there are currently so many youth events taking place around the globe with young women ballers doing what they love and of course since the accident also occurred on their way back from an actual game, it only makes this tragedy all the more raw and difficult to accept.
 
I am sure I will be reflecting the thoughts of the women’s basketball family around the globe when I say that our prayers and sincere condolences are with the family and friends of Stephanie and Stacey during this indescribably difficult and painful time.

Paul Nilsen

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