JackJumpers look to end NBL championship reign on a high against Cairns Taipans in Saturday night showdown

It’s likely to be their last game as the NBL’s reigning title holder, so the JackJumpers plan to play like champions against the Cairns Taipans in Hobart on Saturday night.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 05: Will Magnay of the Jackjumpers drives to the basket during the round 11 NBL match between Tasmania Jackjumpers and Cairns Taipans at MyState Bank Arena, on December 05, 2024, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

The Tasmania JackJumpers aim to go out with a bang against the Cairns Taipans at MyState Bank Arena on Saturday night in their last game as the NBL’s reigning champion _ if it turns out to be their final game, says assistant-coach Jack Fleming

“It’s not so much the results but how we play in front of our fans _ can we play together? Can we play hard until the final siren? Can all 11 guys come in and contribute and finish the season off in the right way?

“It’s not so much the results but how we play in front of our fans _ can we play together? Can we play hard until the final siren? Can all 11 guys come in and contribute and finish the season off in the right way?

Sitting agonisingly close but just outside play-off contention, the JackJumpers will “Defend the Island” with all the gusto that made them the NBL’s top team last summer, Fleming said.

“It’s not so much the results but how we play in front of our fans _ can we play together? Can we play hard until the final siren? Can all 11 guys come in and contribute and finish the season off in the right way?” he said.

“If it is the final game, that’s what we owe our fans.

“The process never stops for us to continue to improve, whether it’s as an individual or as a team we are going to do that until the season is over, whether that is Saturday, or whether that is next week, or whether that is in a month.

“Our job is not done until that final siren sounds.

“Constant improvement has always been the message since we began and that is not going to change.”

Tasmania JackJumpers announce their High Performance Centre at Kingston Sports Complex. Coaching staff Jack Fleming, Mark Radford and Jarrad Weeks with the plans. Picture: Linda Higginson

It will also be their club’s annual Teal game in support of S.H.E (Support, Hope, Education) to raise awareness and funds for gynecological cancers.

The JackJumpers and their fans have raised more than $150,000 for S.H.E since they joined forces in 2022, helping drive their mission to build a Cancer Wellness Centre in Tasmania.

The JackJumpers will take the court in specially-designed teal jerseys, including injured star

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 05: Will Magnay of the Jackjumpers sh during the round 11 NBL match between Tasmania Jackjumpers and Cairns Taipans at MyState Bank Arena, on December 05, 2024, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Will Magnay, who will wear his during the Jackies’ warm-up and then donate it for auction.

“It’s one of those moments you realise it’s bigger than basketball,” Magnay said.

“We go out there and throw the ball into the hoop and its fun and whatever, but to really get behind this cause and do it for people’s families and those you love, it’s really special for us.”

Work has also begun on the JackJumpers’ High Performance Centre with earth-movers starting work on their $15m home base.

“It’s amazing – a game-changer for the club and the community and especially recruiting,” Fleming said.

“To have such a such an attraction right here in Kingston and then just the tremendous amount of work people at the club, Christine Finnegan [CEO], Darren Smith [COO], Scott Roth [head coach], and even the people before them have done to get to this point, we are happy to see shovels in the ground that’s for sure.”

Originally published as JackJumpers look to end NBL championship reign on a high against Cairns Taipans in Saturday night showdown