Jason Ah Sam’s Dangalabba boys having fun and winning in ICBL, point guard Henry Peris on fire

DANGALABBA coach Jason Ah Sam said plenty of valuable contributors was the reason for his team’s so-far undefeated run in the Indigenous Community Basketball League, before its Round 6 boys’ clash with Gakkinga at Marrara last night.

Dangalabba's Henry Peris drives against Damabila's Brian Ramsamy. Picture: Celina Whan

DANGALABBA coach Jason Ah Sam said plenty of valuable contributors was the reason for his team’s so-far undefeated run in the Indigenous Community Basketball League, before its Round 6 boys’ clash with Gakkinga at Marrara last night.

“The boys have been gelling really well as a team,” Ah Sam told the NT News.

“Calvin Peris has been our star on both ends of the floor. He’s scored a lot of points and put on a lot of defensive pressure, too.

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“Henry Peris at point guard has also controlled the floor, and he gets this team running, and my nephew Shadrach Ah Sam has also provided great defensive pressure.

“Every other player has played his role in the team well.”

Ah Sam said he and his players had loved every minute of the ICBL competition – backed by Indigenous NBA star Patty Mills – in its inaugural year.

“It’s been most enjoyable. All the boys have got around each other, and even off the court they’ve become really close,” he said.

“(Darwin regional co-­ordinator) Timmy Duggan has provided a safe environment for these kids to play and be comfortable around their fellow people.

“We’ve painted a bullseye on our backs because of the way we’ve been playing, so hopefully we can maintain our consistency.”

The semi-finals are this Sunday.

Ah Sam also coaches the Tracy Village under-18 boys’ team.

“Clayton Jewell is someone to look out for from that team – he will represent the NT Under-18 side, and is progressing in leaps and bounds,” Ah Sam said.