Darwin Airport Resort League

Champion Season

28 July to 12 December 2009

Women

The Eagles have won their sixth straight game and have moved within one point of the Uni Rebels (Rebels have only had two byes so far) after a strong 54-38 victory over the Warriors. Leading by just four at the main break the Eagles wasted no time asserting their superiority in the third quarter to extend their lead to fourteen heading into the final break. Michelle Friel lead all scorers with 17 and Megan Reeve contributed 16 (including 9 in the third). For the Warriors Peta Baily had a much quieter game then recent weeks with just 10 while Tara Carroll led the way with 12. The Eagles look to extend their streak to seven next week against a rejuvenated TV Jets team while the Warriors have the bye.

The TV Jets have played their best game this season destroying the fifth placed Razzle 84-43 to record their second win of the season. On the back of three first quarter three pointers from Desiree Weetra (23) and 15 first half points from Jess Eason (28) the TV Jets jumped out to a 42-22 half-time lead and never looked back. Tikesa Docherty-Cole had one of her best games this season with 17 points. Razzle have struggled this season when Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe has been unavailable and that was again clear last night as their offense often struggled to find easy baskets. Anabelle Harbison worked hard to top score for Razzle with 13. Razzle now face a big test against the top of the table Lightning in what could be close to a “must-win” for Razzle if they want to make this season’s playoffs. TV Jets will look for their first back to back win of the season against an in-form Eagles side.

Despite missing their two bigs before tip-off due to illness and losing two players mid-way through the game to injuries Lightning have managed to snare a 63-58 win over the Rebels to seal this season minor premiership. After leading for the entire first half the Rebels big third quarter (20-10) enabled them to grab the lead heading into the last quarter which they held by four points with 3:30 to go. Sarah Carbone hit a big three pointer with less than two minutes to go to send Lightning to a 60-58 lead. Claire O’Bryan (top scorer with 30) hit a free throw and Tamara Sheppard (18 points) hit two free throws to seal the five point win and guarantee Lightning a spot in the major semi-final. Justine Schmidt worked tirelessly all night and led the Uni Rebels with 22 points and received strong support from Jaylene Bonson (15). Lightning will face a struggling Razzle side next week while the Uni Rebels will face another big game against Ansett (who they are 0-2 against this season).

Women’s Ladder:
Lightning 12-3
Uni Rebels 10-6
Eagles 10–5
Ansett 8-7
Razzle 7-8
Warriors 5-11
TV Jets 2-14

Round 19  – Tuesday 10th October
6:15pm –TV Jets v Eagles (court 1)
7:45pm –Razzle v Lightning (court 2)
9:15pm – Uni Rebels v Ansett (court 1)
Bye - Warriors

Men

TV Jets have sealed second place and most importantly their place in the major semi-final with a 105-48 victory over the winless Razzle. Dan East continued his outstanding form with 31 points, while four others reached double digits; Clinton Kononen (20), Ryan Marshall (14), Liam Mclachlan (13), Matt Fagg (11). Razzle relied heavily on Jess Angus who finished with 22 points while Richard Foster was the only other real offensive contributor with 10. Next week the Jets face off against a rebounding Eagles team while Razzle will continue to search for their first win against Lightning.

The Uni Rebels streak has extended to 13 wins in a row with a comfortable 103-72 win over Lightning. Uni Rebels missing starting point guard Marcus Ch’ng had no troubles adjusting and finished with four players scoring over 20 points: Daniel Briglia (24), Jarrod Sheppard (23), Nick Freer (22), Jamie Hamill (20 points, including four last quarter three pointers). For Lightning, Cameron Bailey led his team with 17 and Tom Leonard scored 15. Lightning will look to secure a playoff spot next week against the bottom placed Razzle while the Rebels face off against Ansett.

Eagle’s men have kept their slim playoff hopes alive in one of the biggest mid game turn arounds of the year (47 point turn around). Trailing by 16 after the first quarter and 21 into the second quarter Timmy Duggan exploded on his way to 49 points to lead the Eagles to a 26 point 92-66 victory. On his way to 49 points Timmy “D” nailed a new all-time league record 12 three pointers. Despite missing league leading PPG player Bayi Handy (hand injury) the Warriors looked like they would cruise leading 35-19 after one quarter but the second half was a completely different story in which they managed only 13 points of offense in total. The two Leon’s (Leon Schultz and Leon Purdue) scored 20 points each but only combined for 7 in the second half. The Eagles face a crunch match against the TV Jets in which a win would be crucial to their season hopes, while the Warriors have a week off before they will look to get back on track and will hopefully have Bayi Handy back.

Men’s Ladder
Uni Rebels 15-1
TV Jets 13-3
Lightning 8-7
Warriors 8-8
Eagles 6-9
Ansett 4-11
Razzle 0-15

Round 19  – Tuesday 10th October
6:15pm – Uni Rebels v Ansett (court 2)
7:45pm – TV Jets v Eagles (court 1)
9:15pm –Razzle v Lightning (court 2)
Bye - Warriors