Damabila coach Leeann Mick-Ramsamy: ‘I’m so proud of my boys’ before final v Gakkinga
THE pride was overflowing when Leeann Mick-Ramsamy spoke about her Damabila team ahead of its clash against Gakkinga in the boys’ final of the Indigenous Community Basketball League at Marrara from 6pm tonight. That is because the team has come so far in just an eight-week tournament.
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THE pride was overflowing when Leeann Mick-Ramsamy spoke about her Damabila team ahead of its clash against Gakkinga in the boys’ final of the Indigenous Community Basketball League at Marrara from 6pm tonight.
That is because the team has come so far in just an eight-week tournament, backed by Indigenous NBA superstar Patty Mills.
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“(Tournament organiser) Timmy Duggan told me ‘I’ve put together a list of players’ and I also had to scout other young boys, and mould all their individual skills into a winning team effort,” Mick-Ramsamy told the Sunday Territorian.
“The team has come together so well, and you can just see how much they’ve grown over eight weeks.
“We started out just teaching them the basics, and now they know all the basic skills and rules of the game.
“Some of these kids were only playing street ball before.
“Now, all the parents are so happy with the results that I’ve been asked to come back and coach them again next year.
“All the kids can now play great offence and defence.”
Mick-Ramsamy also coaches Uni Rebels at under-14 boys’ level, which features her son Brian Ramsamy.
Brian made the NT Metro team, along with Damabila teammates Ethan Bush and Eddie Gunderson.
“Brian is a great three-point shooter and Ethan is one of the best defenders I’ve ever seen at this age group,” Mick-Ramsamy said.
“I couldn’t split them, so I gave them both our team MVP award.
“Eddie is also a great three-point and mid-range shooter, along with Brian.”
Damabila’s semi-final win over Mulibabila last week will be long remembered.
“They beat us after four overtime periods the first time we played them, then by six the second time around,” Mick-Ramsamy said.
“But we beat them last week, and I told the boys how proud I am of them. We had some fathers there recording their games.”
Damabila v Gakkinga will also battle in the girls final from 5pm today.
NORTHERN TERRITORY METRO BOYS’ REPRESENTATIVE TEAM:
Shadrach Ahsam, Aidan Anstess, Quinton Caird, Jacob Dempsey, DeAngelo Goncalves, Kairyce Lowah, Mick Marimowa, Calvin Peris-Chong, Henry Peris, Brian Ramsamy.
Reserves: Ethan Bush, Eddie Gunderson, BJ Lee, Junior Perkins.
Head coach: Jason Ahsam. Assistant coach: Leeann Ramsamy-Mick. Manager: May Bury. Referee: Bayden Franey
NORTHERN TERRITORY METRO GIRLS’ REPRESENTATIVE TEAM:
Kaylani Duggan-Cole, Kristen Dykman, Latisha Forrester, Shayla Gibson, Taneesa Hampton, Aaliyah Muhklis, Yvonne Rankin, Matilda Seden, Jayla Thorne, Mia Tuluauau.
Reserves: Shakaila Gardiner-Dunn, Tia Graham.
Head coach: Frances Fatnowna. Assistant coach: Kylie Duggan. Manager: Lisa Tuluauau. Referee: Bayden Franey.
NORTHERN TERRITORY COUNTRY BOYS’ REPRESENTATIVE TEAM:
Zealand Ford-Davis, Lazarus Gallagher, Jahkye Kells, Robert Kenny, Ricky Mentha, Isiah Miller, Robert Nardoo, Brendan Pon, Kavahn Rodger, Jacob Ross.
Reserves: Patrick Campbell, Colique Wiseman.
Head coach: William Foster. Assistant coach: Henry Bray. Manager: Margaret Smith. Referee: Jaye Swan.
NORTHERN TERRITORY COUNTRY GIRLS’ REPRESENTATIVE TEAM:
Tiana Andrews, Toby Bloomfield, Demi-Lee Braun, Jacinta Bray, Kiarra Campbell, Bella Foster, Niah Kenny, Ruby Mack, Mya Tommy, Berryl Walsh.
Reserves: Melique Bin-Hatam Morgan, Melissa Payne.
Head coach: Katrina Bloomfield. Assistant coach: Phillip Preece. Manager: Hayley Bathern. Referee: Jaye Swan.
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