Courtney Woods, Kouat Noi star in Darwin Salties NBL1 North Round 3 victories
The Darwin Salties star-studded roster shone once again as the men and women dominated the Gold Coast Rollers in Round 3. Read how they got it done.
Northern Territory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Darwin Salties NBL stars again led the charge as both the men’s and women’s sides registered wins on their home deck to mark the NBL1 North Anzac round.
The women recorded their third win of the season to cap off a perfect opening run of home matches at the Darwin Basketball Stadium.
Known superstar and WNBL Townsville Fire player Courtney Woods was the star of the day helping her side breeze out to a 17-point lead at the first break.
Woods finished with 28 points, 15 rebounds, five steals and four assists as the outfit held on to their lead to win 88-75 against the Gold Coast Rollers.
She was awarded the Anzac medal as player of the match, while the likes of Abigail Curtin, Ruby Porter and Cat MacGregor all reached double digit scores of their own.
Woods said the match was exactly what the side were looking for heading into their first road trip, which would see her head to Townsville.
“I’m really happy that we could start the season with three big home wins,” Woods said.
“Not only is it great for our fans but it fills the team with confidence as we go into our first road trip this weekend. The first road trip is always exciting especially with a fairly new team.
“I’m looking forward to the time we spend together off the court as much as the games themselves. I’m also looking forward to returning to Townsville to play against some good friends.”
The men also posted a win beating the Gold Coast Rollers 115-97 to mark the return of NBL champion Sean Macdonald.
Macdonald made it four NBL players in the side alongside captain Makauch Malauch, Kouat Noi and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, with all four making a real impact.
The Salties were on song throughout the match and were 24 points clear at one stage in the fourth quarter to mark the occasion.
Noi was the standout performer and named the player of the match after scoring 29 points, with seven rebounds, two assists and two steals also to his name.
“Saturday’s game as part of the Anzac Day Round was super exciting – the energy was high, and the boys were up and going. The crowd was really into it too, which created a fun atmosphere,” he said.
“Our team was already good and now having Sean Macdonald here just takes us to a whole other level.
“He’s a great facilitator, which allowed us to get in the right positions to score – he really elevates us as a team.
“We’ll be looking to improve on a few things this week in order to secure two wins against Cairns and Townsville this weekend.”
The Salties head to Queensland for the first time this season to take on Cairns and Townsville next week.
NBL champion to provide massive boost for Darwin Salties
Sean Macdonald reached the NBL summit last month with the Tasmanian JackJumpers, and he’s now chasing that winning feeling again with a return to NBL1 North side the Darwin Salties.
His arrival brings a massive boost to the Salties who are sitting on one win and one loss after the opening rounds of the season, and he will get to show his shooting prowess against the Gold Coast.
Macdonald was a key member in the JackJumpers history making championship run, and after a post-season break he’s eager to bring the same to the Top End.
“I’m really looking forward to it, I had a lot of fun last year with the group, I know the guys who have returned well and the new guys have blended in seamlessly,” Macdonald said.
“I’ve had some time to let the win process now, it doesn’t really kick in until you’re alone by yourself and you have some time to think about it, but it was great and a feeling I want to continue chasing.
“The championship win was surreal, it’s going to be hard to top that, the feeling when the buzzer went all the boys were celebrating.
“You work so hard for those moments and when you get to celebrate that with a team you love playing with and playing for it’s a very surreal feeling.”
The Salties are a star-studded side in 2024 the likes of captain Makauch Malauch still in from last year leading the way in front of the great Darwin crowds.
Newcomers Wani Swaka Lo Buluk and Kouat Noi have brought some more star power to the side, and are the type of guys Macdonald is looking forward to playing alongside.
“I think we’re going to be a high-paced team, we’re going to score the ball, so as long as we can defend and rebound the ball I think we will be really good.
I love playing with Mak, he’s a super athletic shooter and a smart player who’s just willing to learn and wants to play the right way.
“I’ve played with Wani a bit in juniors growing up, he’s a great dude and is going to buy in, and Kouat Noi obviously gets a lot of buckets and is going to be fun to play alongside.
“The defensive end is what we need to improve on, it’s no secret that it wins games, and while we have the offensive prowess down we just need to lock in on defence.”
Head coach Matt Flinn said he expects the returning star to have a big impact after what he brought for Tasmania in a season where he was named the league’s most improved player.
“Sean has just completed an incredible NBL season where he won a championship,” he said.
“He is now recognised as a quality NBL-level player with the Tasmanian Jack Jumpers and is going to make the Darwin Salties even better this season.
“It’s very exciting and I am expecting a sold out game this Saturday night to welcome him back.
“Sean is an on-court leader and is just what our team needs to take us to the next level this season.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Courtney Woods, Kouat Noi star in Darwin Salties NBL1 North Round 3 victories
Former NT politician Nick Dondas dies aged 84
The former CLP Deputy Chief Minister and federal MP is being remembered as a keen rugby player, a larger than life character, and a ‘true Territorian’ to the end.
Dry zone declared for Red Centre community – but they can still drink
Months after a Red Centre community performed legal gymnastics in order to drink in their own homes, a neighbouring community has now done the same – declaring a dry zone, while still able to have a beer. Find out more.