THE Wagga Blaze's reduced playing schedule this year can be frustrating, but for Abbey Morton it could be a blessing in disguise.
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It at least makes the 17-year-old's hectic basketball and netball commitments easier to juggle in a jam-packed winter schedule.
There will be occasions this year where Morton will play first grade netball for defending Riverina League premiers Wagga Tigers, before suiting up for Waratah League basketball champions the Blaze.
But the talented Mater Dei Catholic College student, who represented NSW Country at the past two under-18 national basketball championships, wouldn't have it any other way.
"There's a couple of home games where I'll probably be at Robertson Oval (playing netball) and then go straight to the basketball game. But that's alright, I suppose I'm young," Morton said.
"They're pretty busy days but I always make sure I drink heaps of water and get ready for games properly and do all the right things in between and beforehand.
"I haven't had to choose yet but some weekends I do basketball instead of netball. I've told the Tigers I'll be away for a few games on basketball trips, but I made sure they knew that beforehand and they were fine with it.
"I just love doing it."
Morton's first love has always been basketball, a passion handed down to her by her grandmother.
When push inevitably comes to shove it's the five-man game that will win out, but Morton said netball has fine-tuned her basketball skills.
She took a year off netball last year, but her brother Dylan's return to the Wagga Tigers AFL fold this season prompted her to follow suit.
"I probably will have to choose (eventually) but I know I'd probably choose basketball. I'll play both as long as I can and enjoy it," Morton said.
"(Netball helps with) reading the play and reading the game, and just fitness."
Morton is one of a handful of Blaze players who manage other sporting commitments, including Caren Hugo (netball) , Maddison Clyne (netball) and Abby Favell (AFL).
But Morton said Blaze coach Peter O'Leary was supportive of their non-basketball pursuits.
"He's been really understanding of it, he knows everyone's got lots of sporting commitments," she said.
"There's others in the Blaze team with a similar schedule who play netball or other sports, which makes it a lot easier."
The Blaze's home game against Goulburn, originally scheduled for this Saturday, has been postponed until July 20.
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