Ansett product Joel De Barros’ stunning 36 points helps Northern Territory to brilliant win v Western Australia Country at Australian Under-18 Championships

ANSETT product Joel De Barros was “unstoppable at times”, finishing with a stunning points haul in Northern Territory’s 86-78 win over Western Australia Country.

Ansett product Joel De Barros led Northern Territory to a memorable 86-78 win over Western Australia Country, scoring 36 points. Picture: Glenn Campbell

AT the under-16 national basketball championships, former Ansett star Joel De Barros (pictured while playing in the DBA) finished the second highest pointscorer and rebounder in the country.

He is replicating that form for the Northern Territory at the 2021 Australian Under-18 Championships in Werribee.

The versatile guard inspired a memorable 86-78 win over Western Australia Country on Wednesday, finishing with a brilliant 36 points.

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Basketball NT high performance manager Rod Tremlett believes this display was further evidence of the strong all-round game which De Barros possesses.

“Joel was amazing,” Tremlett said of the Territory boys’ captain who finished with an accurate 14 from 22 field goals.

“He was unstoppable at times.

“His outside shot has really improved. And when he runs and gets downhill he’s very hard to stop.

“As the game went on he took on more responsibility and took his opportunities instead of feeding the ball back to his teammates.

“His leadership is always improving.”

It was not just De Barros’ performance which impressed Tremlett.

“It was a really good team effort,” he said.

“The boys showed good signs in the first half against Victoria Metro (they trailed by just three points at the main break).

“And they went close against South Australia Country (a 75-70 loss on Tuesday).

“So I thought the boys were a chance going into this game.

“To get the win was terrific and really pleasing for this program.

“Caleb Jewell (16 points) had another terrific game and Anthony Rowse was unbelievable in defence again.

“He's taken about nine or 10 charges for the tournament – he keeps putting his body on the line for the team.”

Wednesday’s win means the Territory boys can finish the tournament as high as ninth in the next stage.

The Territory girls have not yet won at this year’s competition.

But their collective efforts have greatly impressed Tremlett.

“They led halfway through the second quarter (before losing 84-40 against Queensland North on Tuesday night),” he said.

“But they just need to maintain their intensity.

“Sophie Palmer has been good and so has CJ Rankin.

“Amy List is a six-foot-two big and still developing. This will be a really good experience for her.”