June 1, 2013

Photo: Sam Drescher and Ansett have a showdown with the Tracy Village Jets on Sunday 2 June at 3:30 in a make-up game that could be an indication of what may be in the Challenge Season Grand Final in three weeks time.

Challenge Season

Darwin Airport Resort League Results from Friday 31 May 2013

League Women –Tracy Village Jets v Uni Rebels

Minor premiers Tracy Village Jets overpowered the Uni Rebels to rocket to Grand Final favoritism with the playoffs looming in just two weeks’ time. The Bombers wasted little time in establishing their control of this game with a dominant 24-9 first quarter that eventually led to an 86-39 victory. Tara Maxwell enjoyed her best outing of this season with a game and team high 28 points for the Bombers. Maxwell (10.7ppg) had plenty of support from Sam Rioli (18), Danielle Totham (16 @ 7.2ppg) and Keisha Tinley (11). The absence of Jenni Low Choy (11.3ppg) and Justine Schmidt (10ppg) from the Rebels line-up didn’t help with their efforts, but the fact that they should be in the squad when the playoffs begin gives some hope that the Rebels may be able to untrack the potent all round game of the Bombers. Jaylene Boundry (11.1ppg) led the Rebels with 17 and Jaylene Bonson (13.3ppg) added 14. The Rebels had won four games in a row their last loss was to the Jets in Round 9.

Eagles v Ansett

Ansett dismantled the Eagles with a stinging 62-29 win that lifted the Blues into second place on the ladder where they should finish up the season. Ansett is scheduled to take on the minor premier Jets in a make-up game this Sunday…another possible preview of a Grand Final showdown. The Blues opened up with a 14-5 first quarter, pumped it up to a 30-18 lead by half time and cruised through the second half for the win. Sam Drescher (21.9ppg) once again led the Blues with 19 points followed by Lauren Flanegan with 17 and Amelia Shanahan (18ppg) with 12. Barbara Teakle was best for the Eagles with 9.

Palmerston v Lightning

Lightning ripped into the defense set by Palmerston to run out easy 60-30 winners and a share of third place on the ladder. Kelli Sealy (11.7ppg) put up a game high 20 points to lead Lightning to their 7^th win of the season and a secure place in the playoffs. Sealy had help from the Carbone sisters, Emma and Sarah, as they both hit double figures with 11 and 10. Lightning dominated the boards with a 51-30 advantage and hit 33% from the field to just 27% for Palmerston. Best for Palmerston was Brielle Felton with 7 points.

Ladder:                              Tracy Village Jets 12-1, Ansett 8-5, Uni Rebels & Lightning 7-7, Eagles 4-9-0-1 & Palmerston 3-11

Sunday 2 June:                   Make-up game between Tracy Village Jets & Ansett @ 3:30pm

Next week 7 June: Rd 15   Palmerston v Ansett 6:15pm, Lightning v Tracy Village Jets 7:45pm & Eagles v Uni Rebels 9:15pm.

League Men – Razzle v Eagles

The Eagles took out their first minor premiership since 1995 as they routed Razzle 117-83 behind a 39 point scoring binge by Buster Perkins (21.7ppg). Overall the Eagles hit a whopping 49% from the field with Jesse Williams-Hook (56%) & Jarrod Sheppard (53%) standing out. Sheppard finished with 21pts, Williams-Hook 17 & Chris Peters 13. The Birds held a slim 24-22 lead after one quarter of play but half way through the second quarter the Birds took off during a 39-19 run that left the Razzle floundering and down by 63-41 at the major break. Razzle tried to battle back in the second half, but the closest they got was 28 points. The Eagles collected 28 points from 21 Razzle turnovers while only giving up the ball 9 times, one of their best efforts this season. Brendan Dell hit a season high 30 for the Razzle with Ben Cowcher adding 18 and Robert Oliver & Billy-Ray Roberts getting 12 each.

Uni Rebel v Palmerston

Palmerston knocked off the only threat to their first appearance in a final four playoff when they dumped the Uni Rebels 67-47. The final four is now set in the men’s competition with one game left to play in the minor rounds. The two teams battled on pretty even terms throughout the first three quarters, but Palmerston opened it up in the fourth quarter behind the play of Adrien Laborde and Aaron Simpson. Laborde and Simpson fired up the Palmerston side as the team went on a 21-6 run that put the game out of reach of the Rebels and helped book Palmerston a place in the playoffs. Palmerstons Jesse Bell top scored for the game with 21 points, getting help from Laborde (16), Simpson (14) and Robbie Wilson (10). The Uni Rebels were led by Michael Opara with 16 and Jermaine Lattimore with 12pts and 19rebs. Biggest factor in the win was field goal percentage…Palmerston 38% to 24% for the Rebels.

Ansett v Lightning

Ansett tore into Lightning early in their match before claiming a 75-50 win in their last minor round game before the playoffs. Daniel Florance continued his good form with a 23 point showing to lead the Blues in scoring and grabbed 18 boards as well. The Blues insured Lightning will finish with their worst Challenge Season won-lost record since 2000 as they hammered out a 22-8 first quarter lead that blew out to a 38-17 half time margin. William Tokaduadua had a double for Lightning with a team high 14 points and 16 rebounds. The only other scorer in double figures was Christian Williams with 10. Matthew Flanegan (13), Chris Barrett (11) and Mitchell O’Donoghue (10) also hit double figures for the Blues.

Ladder:                                           Eagles 13-2,Tracy Village Jets 10-4, Ansett 10-3-1, Palmerston 7-6-1, Uni Rebels 5-10, Lightning & Razzle 2-12

Next week 7 June: Rd 18       Eagles v Palmerston 6:15pm, Razzle v Lightning 7:45pm & Uni Rebels v Tracy Village Jets 9:15pm. Bye: Ansett