Anthony Rowse’s defensive hustle a big part of Ansett’s success in 2021 Darwin Basketball League
ANSETT has certainly got plenty of value out of Anthony Rowse in the 2021 Darwin Basketball League season. The 17-year-old is flying on the offensive and defensive sides of the floor.
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ANSETT has certainly got plenty of value out of Anthony Rowse in the 2021 Darwin Basketball League season.
The offensive and defensive weapon is averaging 8.75 points, 3.33 rebounds and 3.42 assists per game, with a field goal percentage of almost 28.
Not bad for someone who is just 17.
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Rowse’s strong emphasis on defence – a feature of his side’s team-first philosophy – is a big reason why Ansett leads the competition with 12 wins and just two losses after 14 games.
“I try to build my game off my defensive hustle,” Rowse said. “It’s something I’ve always tried to do, going back to when (Ansett head coach Steve Toohey) coached me at under-12 level.
“My focus is on improving every game.”
Rowse’s improvement was rapid for Northern Territory at the team’s history-making 2021 Australian Under-18 Basketball Championships campaign in Werribee in April.
He tied the game against the more-fancied Tasmania with a clutch three-pointer and 30 seconds remaining.
His former Ansett teammate and NT captain Joel Barros then won the game with just six seconds left.
It meant the NT finished 76-74 overtime victors in a game which will be long remembered in Territory basketball.
“Anthony’s shot had been a bit and down, but he stepped up for us when we needed him,” NT mentor Brett Maksimovic said at the time.
“He always believed in himself and took the open (match-tying) shot, which was huge for him.”
Rowse said his experience at that tournament made him a better player and young leader at Ansett.
“We were all so close in that team before and after our games,” he said.
“We knew we would make some noise at those championships, and Joel deserved to be picked in the (Basketball Australia National Performance Camp in Canberra in September).
“He can go on to big things at college, NBL1 or even NBL level if he wants to.”
Rowse also has some high ambitions in the game. The Year 12 Darwin High School student wants to play in Adelaide next year while studying finance.
He believes he has the teammates at Ansett who will help him continue to improve.
“I’ve been getting 20 to 25 minutes a game, which has been perfect,” Rowse said.
“Me, Kane Toohey, Matty Hunt and Josh Turner all run the point, so we’ve got plenty of scoring options.
“Kane got 17 points against Jets (in Ansett’s 85-80 win last round), and Josh is a very good slasher who can also shoot very well.
“We believe we’ve got the players to win the competition this year, and we were disappointed not to win it last year.”
Ansett takes on last-placed Essington in round-15 action on Thursday night.
“I played with Matteo Materazzo and Maverick Falzon in the NT team,” Rowse said.
“They are great players, so Essington will be tough, and I always enjoy playing against my mates.”
Eagles also take on Lightning on Thursday night.
Ellas play Uni and Palmerston faces the Jets in Friday night games.
Lightning v Ansett and Razzle v Uni are the women’s games on Friday night.
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