BALLARAT-launched basketballer Rachel Jarry played a starring role in ensuring Australian Opals move straight to the FIBA women's world championships quarter-finals.
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The Opals, coached by Ballarat Miners championship coach Brendan Joyce, thrashed Belarus 87-45 on early Wednesday morning to make a clean sweep of their three group matches in Istanbul.
Jarry, a former Ballarat Lady Miner, led all-scorers with 19 points in 22 minutes.
As top team in their pool, the Opals skip elimination finals and move straight to the quarters and are on track for a potential semi-final showdown with world number one, the United States.
The Opals have won all three if their matches by 30 points or more and has done so without injured international superstars Lauren Jackson and Liz Cambage.
Joyce said his team had adapted and that had rattled opponents so far.
But there were still big hurdles ahead.
"We don't fear anyone but we respect everybody," Joyce said.
"It's great for us. We're in the final eight and with two days break we've got a great opportunity to have a great preparation and try and move on to the final four."
The Opals will play the winner of the crossover match between Czech Republic and France or Canada with match-ups to be locked in at the end of the group matches.
with AAP