May 16, 2015

Photo:  Ian Jong for the Mens League

Challenge Season

Darwin Basketball Association League Results – Thursday & Friday - 14-15 May 2015

Round 14

League Women Thursday – Tracy Village Jets v Ansett

The Tracy Village Jets thrashed Ansett 71-28 to take their unbeaten streak to 21 straight victories extending back into last year’s Championship Season. Tikesa Docherty-Cole (13.8ppg) ignited a 17-3 first quarter run by pumping in 9 of her 16 points as the Bombers stamped their authority on the game. The Jets were in control of the game throughout and didn’t let the Blues get into any rhythm, holding them to single digits for three quarters during the encounter. Player/Coach Sam Rioli (12ppg) led the Bombers with 17, Docherty-Cole 16, Delsey Ah Wang 14 and Danielle Totham & Rachael Park had 11 each. Isabella Politis (8.6ppg) top scored for the Blues with 10. The Jets managed to hold the League’s leading three point scorer Clancy Dorman (12.4ppg) in check, allowing Dorman to score only 8pts for the game (2 treys).

Eagles v Uni Rebels

The Eagles took the Uni Rebels down 70-49 to solidify second place on the ladder which should give them the double chance in the playoffs in three weeks. With Michelle Friel (15.6ppg) back on court to guide the side from the point things are looking up for the Birds. Friel top scored in this one with 21 points and she had help from Alysha-Marie Williams 13 @ 5.6ppg, Lillian Williams 12 and Trish Graham with 11. The game was still close at half time with the Eagles up 27-23, but after the break the Birds took wing to outscore the Rebels 43-26 in the second half to close out the game. Ambah Kowcun (12.2ppg) led the Rebels with 14, Edith Boundry (9.2ppg) hit 13 and Danielle Ponter 10.

Razzle v Lightning

Lightning finally put four quarters together to put up some big numbers in their 72-33 shellacking of the Razzle. According to Coach Jason Ivinson “all the catch and shoot at training finally paid off”. Emma Carbone (7.1ppg) led the side with 20 points (including 3 treys) Kira Pendlebury (10.4ppg) added 18 and Kelly Doherty 9. Lightning were all over the Green and Gold early, shutting them out in the first quarter 11-0. They put up a bit more fight in the second quarter, but still trailed 32-16 at half time. Lightning took a strangle hold on the game with a 21-13 third quarter run for a game winning 53-29 lead with a quarter to go. Erin Boyd (15.2ppg) was the only Razzle player to get into double figures with 11.

Ladder:                                                            Tracy Village Jets 16-0, Eagles 11-5, Uni Rebels 8-7-1, Lightning & Ansett 5-11 & Razzle 3-13

Next Week Round 15:                                   Thursday: Uni Rebels v Lightning 7:45pm. Friday: Razzle v Ansett 6:15pm & Tracy Village Jets v Eagles 7:45pm

League Men Thursday – Ansett v Lightning

Christian Williams hit the first bucket for Lightning, Craig Martin nailed the next four and the Lightning bolted away from Ansett on their way to a confidence building 86-46. A 25-12 first quarter run was enough to add another ‘w’ in the column as the playoffs loom in three weeks. Lightning were coming off of a two game losing skid and need to find a bit more consistency if they are to be a serious challenge for this season’s Grand Final. Martin (20.2ppg) once again led the team in scoring with 22, followed by Karsten Oltrop (6.8ppg) with 14, Cameron Bailey 12 and Harry Fuge & Dylan De Santis on 10 apiece. Matteo Rowse (19.2ppg) was the lone standout for the Blues with 22.

Tracy Village Jets v Uni Rebels

This was the game of the round and perhaps the season. A double overtime 92-84 win by the Tracy Village Jets against League leading Uni Rebels. It may have been a preview of the Grand Final. Michael MacLean (17.4ppg) and Travis Ellis (23.2ppg) led the Bombers with 28 and 26 respectively, but they got a little more help from their team-mates than Rebels Tyler Jefferson (35 @ 24.4ppg) and Lance Schmidt (27 @ 10.4ppg). The return of former Rebels point guard Marcus Ch’ng will have a definite effect in the Rebels camp as he brings a lot of experience to the club. This game, however, was destined to be the Jets. The ‘end game’ in close contests for the Bombers is usually dominated by MacLean and Ellis as this one was. MacLean scored the last 9 points in the second overtime as the Bombers powered away for the win…their 11^th in the last 12 games they have played. Jet Jesse Bell also hit double figures with 13 while Rebel Brad Jachmann did likewise with 12.

Razzle v Eagles

The Eagles started slowly, but finished with a bang as they soared over the Razzle 81-46. The Birds held a winning margin at half time, 32-23, but lifted their work rate in the second half, especially Deola Folarin (32.7ppg) who hit 19 of his game high 26. The Birds went on a 49-23 run in the second half to seal the outcome. Eagle Reece Turner (14.7ppg) dropped in 21, Dirk Steenbergen 13 and Jesse Williams-Hook 11. Razzle’s Rob Oliver (15.2ppg) continued his fine form to hit 17 while David Carroll (14ppg) tallied 15.

Ladder:                                                             UniRebels 12-4, Tracy Village Jets 11-5, Lightning & Eagles 10-6, Razzle 3-13 & Ansett 2-14

Next Week Round 15:                                        Thursday: Razzle v Tracy Village Jets 6:15pm. Friday: Uni Rebels v Lightning 6:15pm & Ansett v Eagles 7:45pm