The Dolphins used 2021, Myra Donkin’s first year as coach, as a season geared for player development, in particular the young players seen as the future of the Dolphins program.

Donkin is back on board at Early Settler, and Cairns has made four key signings for the upcoming season.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST BASKETBALL NEWS

TAYLOR JONES

by Matthew McInerney, February 2, 2022

TWO years with limited game time will not stop Taylor Jones from making a splash with a Cairns Dolphins outfit that is targeted towards a run to the NBL1 North playoffs.

Jones was unveiled as the Dolphins’ next big signing on Wednesday, and brings years of experience to an outfit brimming with top-tier talent.

Originally from NSW, Jones played in the Waratah League before attending Moberly College in Missouri on a full scholarship for her freshman year. She has spent the past two years playing for the Pakenham Warriors in the Big V competition in Victoria.

And while Covid-related lockdowns pumped the brakes on consistent court time, Jones feels she might actually be in a better position.

“I think I’m better, I think I’m stronger,” Jones said. “I’ve never been able to lift this heavy in the gym, so I’m stronger in that regard.

“It will be awesome to get back on the court, get up and down a bit more, and get back into it in that regard.

“My strengths; I’m a shooter, I like to shoot the ball, I play hard and hustle, and I think that’s just as good as before, hopefully ­better.”

Jones moved to Cairns with partner and Taipans assistant coach Sam Gruggen at the end of last year, and it’s no secret his line of work has helped her maintain her sharp skills.

“I moved here to support Sam fully to get behind the Taipans and live the life in Cairns, but I’ve been playing basketball for a while now and just came off a few years of the Big V,” she said. “Covid really had an impact on those seasons. I think I played about 16 games in total in the past two years, which is not a lot.

“But I’ve developed a lot, having to play different positions. I played a lot of point guard last year, got to play some pretty big minutes and had a pretty big role, so it was awesome to expand my game in that way.

“When the season was cancelled, we went back to Sydney and coached outside a lot.

“Luckily Sam is a coach and he was able to offer his time, and we got some shots up.

“It wasn’t the best on the body, playing on the concrete, but it was good to keep my fitness up that way. Now we’re here and we have some awesome pre-season plans occurring. We’re training four mornings a week and getting into it.”

Jones adds to a Cairns team which features Opals centre Cayla George, WNBL-experienced duo Penina Davidson and Amy Lewis, and a number of talented youngsters under coach and long-term Dolphins player Myra Donkin.

Cairns Basketball general manager Mike Scott said Jones added another level to the team.

“She has great experience, will add another level to our Dolphins squad,” Scott said. “A tenacious defender and pure shooter, it’s great to have Taylor in the squad.”

AMY LEWIS

by Matthew McInerney, January 10, 2022

THE acquisition of one of the premier and most consistent players in the NBL1 North competition will allow for a strong Cairns Dolphins outfit to chase a championship.

Experienced WNBL guard Amy Lewis will bring more than a decade of experience to the Dolphins in 2022, joining fellow WNBL stars Cayla George and Penina Davidson to form the basis of a lethal line-up.

“Playing with the likes of Cayla again will be so much fun, I’m really looking forward to that, and hearing about the signing of Nina as well is really exciting,” Lewis said.

“I think we’re building something really special here. Along with the young talent that are already coming up through the ranks in Cairns Basketball, it should be an exciting year.”

A graduate of NCAA Division I Troy University, making the all-conference First Team in her senior year and earning a WNBA trial with the Phoenix Mercury in 2008.

Lewis also boasts a bronze medal from the 2009 World University Games and joined the Australian Opals for their 2013 tour of China.

She suited up for the Townsville Fire, Adelaide Lightning and SEQ Stars in the WNBL, and, most recently, played for the Brisbane Capitals and Ipswich Force where she was in the NBL1 North Top 10 for both scoring and assists last year.

In 2021, she averaged 18.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game.

Cairns Basketball general manager Mike Scott is excited about Lewis’s addition to the Dolphins’ fold.

“Amy’s got a sensational resume … and is a great piece to our roster next year,” Scott said.

“She’s been one of the stars of NBL1 North for the past six or seven seasons. To get her to Cairns is sensational, and we’re excited to have her join our Dolphins program for 2022.

“We heard a whisper she had a connection in Cairns. We did our best to exploit that, and luckily she was able to get work in Cairns and that allowed us to get an offer to play for the Dolphins.

“Lord’s Insurance were critical in getting us across the line.”

Lewis is closer to the end of her playing career than the start, and while she would love to talk up the Dolphins’ – and her – chance at winning a championship “or two”, she said it was far too early to call.

“All the other clubs are building their pieces as well, so you never really know what teams will be strong until you get to the first few games of the season,” Lewis said.

“It’s about the process, and building something within the team chemistry. If you’ve got good people and a good core group off the court, that translates on the court as well.”

PENINA DAVIDSON

by Harry Murtough, January 6, 2022

MELBOURNE Boomers player Penina “Nina” Davidson needed little convincing from teammate Cayla George to hit up the tropics and join the Cairns Dolphins for the upcoming season.

The 26-year-old has already established an impressive playing career, having represented New Zealand in two FIBA Oceania Championships, two Olympic qualifiers and two FIBA Asia Cups.

This is not her first foray in the Far North, with Davidson playing WNBL in the region during the hub of 2020.

“I’ve really loved Cairns every time I have visited,” the 190cm tall forward said.

“It didn’t take much convincing once Cayla planted the seed in my head to come to the Dolphins.

“They are doing some exciting things with their women’s program, and it’s cool to be part of this new era for them.”

Davidson also played for the highly touted University of California Golden Bears in division one college basketball.

As she prepares for another Asia Cup appearance in 2022 with the Tall Ferns, Davidson said being able to fine tune her form in the Far North with George would be most advantageous.

As well as helping to increase women’s basketball’s profile in the Far North, Davidson – like George – was eager to see Cairns join the WNBL.

“I’ve always thought the WNBL needs way more teams; there’s just too much talent in Australia alone,” she said.

“Whatever helps push for another WNBL (team), and hopefully would be a push for spots, which is a bonus.”

Davidson will be a solid addition defensively to the Dolphins, having averaged three steals per game for the Boomers in the WNBL.

Dolphins coach Myra Donkin said with two Boomers on the team, she was liking how her roster was shaping up, as she guides the side back to relevance for its NBL1 campaign.

“Nina is such a big coup for us,” she said. “She’s a great athlete that will bring so much depth to our roster.

“She’s so experienced that it’s easy to forget she’s only 26 and could have a massive impact on the NBL1 North competition.”

CAYLA GEORGE

by Harrison Murtough, November 23, 2021

THE Cairns Dolphins have made their first major roster splash ahead of next year’s NBL1 season, enticing Opal and three-time WNBL championship-winning star Cayla George to return home and join the program.

Having seen Cairns as a second home for some time now, George was elated to sign on with the Dolphins for two seasons.

“My entire immediate family is in Cairns, my husband’s in Cairns, I have a house in Cairns,” she said.

“I’m really excited to be in the fold with the Dolphins … it’s been a bit of a long time coming.

“I’m just hoping aspiring female athletes really are determined to play in the great program of the Dolphins, and potentially a WNBL team down the track.”

This is not the 32-year-old’s first rodeo with the Dolphins, having played with the club in 2011.

The 1.93-metre tall imposing centre has represented Australia twice at the Olympics, and won a gold medal in the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

She also has silver and bronze medals from the 2014 and 2018 FIBA World Cups and bronze in the 2019 FIBA Asia Cup. George has also played for the Logan Thunder, Townsville Fire and is the captain of the Melbourne Boomers.

She has earned MVP accolades with all three clubs.

Her resume also boasts stints with clubs in France and Hungary as well as with teams in the WNBA in the United States for the Dallas Wings and Phoenix Mercury.

As for the region’s hopes for a WNBL team, George hopes her playing presence in the Far North will bolster the push.

“I certainly do think it’s realistic,” she said.

“Timing is everything in a lot of ways … I don’t mind coming in to help push that as well.

“I think it’s a great region and great area to have a WNBL team. Whether that’s in too many years and I’ll have to be on the sidelines … or if it’s in the near future – I’d certainly like to finish my career in Cairns.”

The Dolphins also re-signed coach Myra Donkin for next season, something George was particularly pleased with.

“I have played alongside Myra a few times, and I think once in the WNBL a very long time ago,” she said.

“We both get along really well and we’ll both put our brains together and see if we can come up with a pretty cool system with the team we’ve got, and make sure everyone plays their role nicely and fits into what we’re working with and has the best time on court.”

As well as reuniting with former teammates in Cairns, George faces the possibility of playing with her younger sister Andrianna.

“The thought of getting on court with her and training each week and games is wild, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

The Dolphins’ season will start in April 2022.

MYRA DONKIN, COACH

by Rowan Sparkes, November 22, 2021

MYRA Donkin says the decision to come back and coach the Cairns Dolphins for a second season was a “super easy” one.

Donkin was the player-coach at the Dolphins this year but has retired from playing to solely focus on coaching next season.

“This year was a great experience but next year I won’t be playing so I can just coach and lead the team from the sidelines,” she said.

“There’s so much junior talent coming through I thought it would be selfish to continue to take up playing time. I’d rather give the young ones more time and nurture them from a coaching perspective and give them experience on the court, which is going to be more beneficial for the program development.”

The Dolphins blooded a number of youngsters as they won just one of their 13 games in 2021, but Donkin was hoping for better results in the new season.

“Results can tell two stories – one’s obviously the scoreline at the end but then there’s also how you compete, and that’s way more important as a coach,” Donkin said.

“Overall, I thought we were really good this year.”

She said she learned a lot in her first year at the helm.

“Having to learn how to play and teach while you’re exhausted at the same time was the most challenging thing,” Donkin said.

“When you’re in the heat of the moment, sometimes it can be hard to see the big picture of what’s unfolding.”

Cairns Basketball general manager Mike Scott said he was looking forward to seeing what Donkin could do in a second year at the helm.

“She had the challenge of being a player-coach, and she was the gun of the group,” he said.

“She had to be the best player on the floor, as well as a first-year coach with a lot of young players. It was a huge learning curve for her in that respect, but we have been working on the Dolphins roster since the last season ended and we are confident we are able to recruit more experience next year. With one season under her belt and a more experienced roster, we are optimistic Myra will take the Dolphins to the play-offs.”

matthew.mcinerney1@news.com.au