Lightning coach Jason Ivinson lauds his team’s strength in numbers after April Rummery Lamb stars v Tracy Village Jets, Sarah Carbone to return for final

LIGHTNING has adopted Golden State Warriors’ motto Strength In Numbers from its three NBA title wins between 2015 and 2018. And this is why Jason Ivinson’s team will be tough to beat in the 2020 Darwin Basketball Women’s Grand Final on December 5.

Sarah Carbone will return for Lightning in the 2020 Darwin Basketball Women’s Grand Final on December 5. Lightning will face the winner of the Jets v Ansett preliminary final, which is this Friday night. Picture: Glenn Campbell

AFTER a brilliant performance from his star April Rummery Lamb in Lightning’s 63-49 win over Tracy Village in the Darwin Basketball Women’s Championship major semi-final last Thursday night, coach Jason Ivinson has conceded this could be the last finals campaign he will have the tall scorer on board for.

The gifted centre was arguably the best on court against the Jets, finishing with 24 points and a monster 13 rebounds.

She hit eight from 16 shots from the field to go alongside a three-pointer from one attempt outside the arc, while also connecting on seven from nine free throws.

Lightning’s April Rummery Lamb can look forward to a big few months after a scholarship offer from Newberry College in South Carolina, and her team improving

April Rummery Lamb dominates in Darwin Basketball Association semi-final v Tracy Village Jets, with 24 points and 13 rebounds

The 18-year-old was the difference between the two star-studded teams, allowing Lightning to progress straight to the grand final on December 5, as it attempts a three-peat of DBA titles.

But Rummery Lamb is looking to go to the US as soon as the COVID-19 situation improves over there, telling the NT News last month she had been offered a scholarship at Newberry College in South Carolina, where she is keen to study forensic psychology and develop her game at Division II level.

Lightning’s April Rummery Lamb (left) was outstanding in her team’s 63-49 win over Tracy Village in the major semi-final, but this finals campaign could be her last for the two-time reigning champions. Picture Glenn Campbell

“April was big for us against the Jets,” Ivinson told the NT News. “We’d love her to stay until the end of September when we’ll have finals next year, so the competition doesn’t clash with the footy season, but that’s when she’ll likely head over.”

Despite this pending key loss, Ivinson is thrilled with the personnel depth he has at his disposal, his team playing well all across the floor to become the first side to beat Jets this season. Strength In Numbers has long been Lightning’s catchcry due to the depth of its playing squad, with Ivinson referring to that saying after reflecting on his team’s triumph over arch rivals the Jets.

Lightning adopted the motto after the Golden State Warriors used it during their run of three NBA championship titles from 2015 to 2018.

“We felt we were getting stronger coming into finals, especially with the big group we have,” Ivinson said.

“We still feel like we can improve, and we missed Sarah Carbone against Jets, who’s been very good for us in defence.”