Oliver digs deep for bushfire appeal and Taipans set to break ground
All the hoops news and chatter from around the NBL and QBL is in Jordan’s Air.
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All the hoops news and chatter from around the NBL and QBL is in Jordan’s Air.
TOURNAMENT SUCCESS
Organisers of the recent 2019 Australian indigenous Basketball National Tournament are planning to go bigger and better later this year.
In the marquee men’s division matchup just before Christmas, Erub United capped off an undefeated week taking down the Cairns Black Marlins, 55-47, with Erub United forward Chris Cedar winning MVP honours after dropping a game-high 17 points.
“Our organising committee were blown away with how well everything went,” AIB chief executive officer and tournament director Joel Khalu said.
“Based on the outcomes achieved, we have no doubt it will continue to grow and be bigger again in 2020.”
The inaugural tournament was a fantastic event and hopefully it will only improve in standard and numbers.
■ Could the Snakes be about to break ground and become one of the first NBL clubs to play on Christmas Day?
Experienced Sydney-based hoops writer Matt Logue recently revealed the Cairns Taipans and South East Melbourne Phoenix are interested in hosting a game on December 25 in the future.
The two clubs played each other on NYE of this year and may add another special occasion in season 2020-21.
Speaking on SEN a few days ago, NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger confirmed as much, saying individual markets were keen to give the Christmas Day clash a chance after most professional sports leagues in Australia have shied away from the date over the last few years.
NOI’S ABSENCE HIGHLIGHTS SNAKES’ DEPTH
The Taipans’ lack of depth was a constant talking point earlier in the season but the team have swatted away those concerns lately.
When impressive rookie forward Kouat Noi went down with his ankle concern, it looked as if trouble loomed for the Snakes.
It has been anything but, as the bench has picked up the slack, with Mirko Djeric, Jarrod Kenny and Fabijan Krslovic all lifting their output.
Since Noi was hurt, Cairns are 4-0.
He should not be far away from returning, with a good chance he will be back in the line-up come Thursday evening against New Zealand.
BREAKERS OPTIMISTIC
New Zealand, who come to Cairns this week, took an interesting approach to getting a player fit for an upcoming clash.
Import guard Sek Henry suffered a calf injury early in the win over SEM Phoenix on Sunday afternoon and sat out the rest of the game.
It is a quick turnaround for the Kiwis as they spend a few days in Melbourne this week before flying to FNQ on Wednesday for Thursday’s clash with the Snakes.
The Breakers said Henry would sit out the second half against Phoenix with the hope he would be fit to play in Cairns.
A quick back-up with a calf injury sounds like a recipe for disaster as we all know how troublesome calves can be.
OLIVER DIGS DEEP FOR BUSHFIRE APPEAL
Cairns’ dunking-machine Cameron Oliver has put his hand in his pocket to help out those impacted by bushfires in Australia.
“Thousands of people have lost their homes, 500 million animals have been killed and the air quality is at hazardous levels,” Oliver said on social media on Sunday.
“For the 21 points I scored the other night, I’m donating $1050 to the cause. Please dig deep and help if you can.”
Taipans president Troy Stone said he would match Oliver’s donation.
Originally published as Oliver digs deep for bushfire appeal and Taipans set to break ground