Lightning place themselves as genuine finals side after Round 6 win over Palmerston Power

LIGHTNING’S defence and depth played an integral role in its 82-50 win over Palmerston Power in Round 6 of the Darwin Basketball League

Lightning's Brodie Hertel shoots past the Palmerston defence.

LIGHTNING’S defence and depth played an integral role in its 82-50 win over Palmerston Power in Round 6 of the Darwin Basketball League.

Lightning took the lead early and never let it go with Brodie Hertel (21 points, pictured) and Craig Martin (16 points) big contributors on the scoring end.

But perhaps most impressive for the side was its defensive efforts, winning rebounds, racking up turnovers and ­applying pressure on Palmerston’s scorers.

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Luca Tutty (10 points) who has been an offensive weapon this season impressed again, and also showed off the defensive side of his game.

Palmerston was forced to lean on its depth, with stars Pat Golong and Shaquille Hohipa-Wilson both missing from this contest.

Veterans Tom Godwin (16 points) and Jesse Bell (15 points) both made impressions on the scoreboard, but were unable to steer Power to a winning total.

Playing coach Chris Charman was pumped to see his side grab another win through a strong defensive display.

“We’re pumped. We really wanted to get back in the winners’ circle. The boys brought it all night and showed real ­effort,” Charman told the NT News.

“We knew that they were going to try and run us as a fit side with depth.

“Our goal was to get back in defence and get some steals from there.

Luca Tutty has enjoyed a fine start to the 2021 Darwin Basketball League. Picture: Supplied

“The defence led the way and really pushed us into our offensive sets.

“It was a well-spread effort from all the guys and it didn’t matter who we had on the court with everyone giving it their all.”

And it’s those well-spread efforts that have seen Lightning rise from the lower rungs of the 2020 Championship to be a genuine finals contender in 2021.

The outfit currently boasts a 4-2 win loss record and the confidence is building each week.

“We’ve got good depth this season which we’ve lacked in the past few seasons,” Charman said.

“It’s good now that we don’t have to flog guys for 40 minutes a game as we know the guys coming off the bench will do a good job and bring ­energy.”

Meanwhile, Ansett (Lachlan Shipway 18 points) led after each quarter to pull off an 86-62 win over Uni Rebels (Eric Klenke 17 points).