JO Leedham has promised to do Britain proud when she leads the nation into action at the London Olympics this weekend.

Team GB may be massive underdogs in the women’s basketball competition, but captain Leedham, 24, has said the Brits will not ‘back down’ against anyone they face.

They took on the mighty USA in a warm-up match in Manchester last Wednesday and gave the six-time Olympic champions a real scare before eventually running out of steam and losing 88-63.

Proud Portite Leedham top-scored with 21 points and was one of the game’s stand-out players.

She felt the Manchester crowd warmed to the team’s efforts and hopes the same will happen in London.

“I think the crowd was great and I hope that support continues on throughout the Olympics,” said Leedham.

“At times I think we did play well and showed our grit, heart and determination, so I hope that the British people see that.

“We are a fighting team, and we might have a disadvantage with things like athleticism, but against teams like USA, we’re not going to just back down, and again I hope that the British people do see that and get behind us.”

The women’s basketball competition begins this Saturday, with GB tipping off their Group B campaign with a tough test against likely medal contenders Australia.

They then take on Canada (July 30), Russia (August 1), France (August 3) and Brazil (August 5)

The top four teams from groups A and B qualify for the knockout stage, with the winners of the semi-finals going head-to-head in the gold medal game.

Team GB are ranked 49th in the world but they have recently beaten France and the Czech Republic, meaning they will not be taken lightly in London.

Leedham is in the form of her life and proved against the USA that she is a match for the best teams on the planet.

Her performance even drew praise from Sir Clive Woodward, the British Olympic Association’s director of elite performance and the man who led England to Rugby World Cup glory in 2003.

Woodward, who watching from the side of the court in Manchester, wrote on Twitter: “Leedham such a talent, tough, aggressive.”

Former Catholic High School student Leedham began her basketball career with Ellesmere Port Panthers.

After a record-breaking spell playing college basketball in America, she played for Polish side AZS Gorzow and Australia outfit the Bulleen Boomers.

Her dad Kim is chairman of the Cheshire Juniors basketball club, based in Ellesmere Port. Mum Sue teaches PE at Christleton High in Chester and sisters Jennifer and Kirsty have both represented their country at basketball at international level.

Leedham made a flying visit to see her family in Little Sutton last Friday before moving into the athletes’ village in London on Saturday.