Ansett coach Steve Toohey says local young guns are stepping up in absences of Freddy Webb, Fred Williams and James Toohey
ANSETT coach Steve Toohey could not contain his pride when asked about the strength of Ansett’s depth this year.
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ANSETT coach Steve Toohey could not contain his pride when asked about the strength of Ansett’s depth this year.
The club lost three of its better players in recent years – Fred Williams, Freddy Webb and James Toohey – as they pursued their basketball careers in bigger and stronger southern leagues.
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But Toohey’s side has performed admirably in their collective absence, with a 3-1 record after the first four rounds of the 2021 DBA League.
“Ansett has always been a great club with great coaches,” he told the NT News.
“But it doesn’t just happen overnight or in six to 12 months.
“These things happen over 10 years.
“We’ve got some really good kids this year and the club has never been in better shape.”
Joshua Turner has been one of Ansett’s standouts so far this season.
He has returned to the Territory in 2021, but is still considered a local because he started there as a 10-year-old.
Turner, 20, is averaging 17.5 points per game over the first four rounds.
“I’d like to see Josh have a really good season here and then look elsewhere because he’s got the game to go far,” Toohey said.
Kane Toohey (averaging 11 points per game), Henry Bui (10 per game) and Anthony Rowse (11 per game) have also fired in the early weeks of this season.
Ansett v first-placed Palmerston and Eagles v Tracy Village are Friday night’s Round 5 fixtures.
“Palmerston is similar to us – they’ve got a good mix of youth and experience and also have good depth,” mentor Toohey said.
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