Darwin Basketball Association side Ansett won the minor premiership, with Lachlan Shipway, Josh Turner, Anthony Rowse and Kane Toohey firing, but ‘job not done yet’ says head coach Steve Toohey
THEY lost their ‘Big Four’ over the off-season, but the Ansett club is as strong as ever, winning this year’s minor premiership. However, the job is not done yet, according to coach Steve Toohey. Who will win the 2021 DBL title? HAVE YOUR SAY.
Local sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THEY lost their ‘Big Four’ over the off-season, but the Ansett club is as strong as ever.
Steve Toohey’s side has just celebrated a minor premiership in the 2021 Darwin Basketball League.
That is despite losing stars Fred Williams, James Toohey, Freddy Webb and Joel De Barros to bigger interstate clubs.
MORE NT NEWS SPORT STORIES
However, a stack of young local juniors have stepped up this year, with Ansett losing just two regular-season games.
As a result, the team will stay alive if its loses its major semi-final against Palmerston on Thursday night.
While Ansett’s objective for this year – winning the final – is not yet complete, Toohey has been delighted with his side’s consistency.
“We lost four or five great players from last year, so we’ve called upon our local juniors,” he said.
“We needed them to perform for us and they’ve done a great job.
“We’ve got a minor premiership title to show for it.”
While the star four players who departed the club in the off-season could all dominate a game, Toohey has been pleased with the team-first brand his outfit has adopted in 2021.
“I don’t know what it is about the Ansett club, but we’ve had a number of local juniors step up this year,” he said.
“Kane Toohey and Anthony Rowse are averaging 10 to 12 points per game, and they’re both still eligible to play under-18s.
“Josh Turner has been fantastic for us. He pops up just when we need him to score.
“Lachie Shipway has been a superstar for us this year with his size and strength. He’s a great rebounder.
“Henry Bui has stepped up and he's great to coach.
“And the Brauer boys (Mitch and Hayden) have both had limited game time, but they’re learning a lot, and they’re going to be superstars of the future.”
Toohey is expecting a typically tough challenge from Palmerston on Friday night.
“The first time we played them, we beat them pretty easily (101-81 in round 5),” Toohey said of the Power, which finished the regular season in second spot.
“The second time we gave up a 20-point lead but came back and won (74-73 in round 12) which was pleasing.
“They’re strong with good local talent like us, and also like us they play an in-your-face style of game.”
The other semi-final will see Ellas take on Tracy Village in an elimination clash on Friday night.
***********************************************************
FORMER Lightning star April Rummery-Lamb might be living the dream playing and studying in the US, but she is hardly over there for a holiday.
The skilful centre will leave no stone unturned in her quest to play in the WNBA, while she studies and plays for Newberry College in South Carolina.
She will be participating at a competitive NCAA Division II level and putting in plenty of hours studying, accepting a scholarship to study forensic psychology.
“I haven’t started training yet, but I’m really excited to be over here,” the former Essington Senior College student said.
“The basketball facilities are really good, and you can train at all hours.
“My dorm is not far from the stadium and the campus is really nice.
“It’s not too big and it’s a nice area.
“And the city of Columbia is not too far away.
“I got my Covid vaccinations before I left, so I’m not too worried about that.”
MORE NT NEWS SPORTS STORIES
FULL MATCH REPLAY and match replay: Southern Storm beat Desert Blaze in T20 Strike League
Nightcliff and Waratah young guns Moniz-Wakefield and Ned Stevens take the first step to the AFL
New Palmerston Magpies star recruit Michael Coombes to add ‘huge value’ to team: Coach Josh Heath
Rummery-Lamb is ready to put in the long hours immersed in her studies and on the court as she goes after her dream of playing in the WNBA.
“If I can make it to that level, that would be amazing,” she said.
“But I’m also over here to study hard – I know basketball isn’t everything.
“I’ve always had an interest in crime and analysing things.”
Rummery-Lamb certainly has the skills and work ethic to take her to the WNBA if she really wants it.
The three-time Darwin Basketball League winner with Lightning and the 2019 leading shot blocker is fresh from a brilliant season with Central Districts at NBL1 level in South Australia.
She averaged 12.90 points per game – the most for her team.
The 19-year-old talent also shot at an impressive 56.36 per cent from the field, and came up with 6.54 rebounds per game.
“I think I had a really good season. I was my team’s top scorer, and the competition definitely developed me as a player,” Rummery-Lamb said.
“Playing against bigger and stronger players prepared me for my challenges ahead.”
Rummery-Lamb will always be grateful for what Lightning, and its senior women’s coach and club president Jason Ivinson did for her development as a player and person while in Darwin.
“Ivo is a really good person for the team and as a club figure,” Rummery-Lamb said.
“He’s really involved in everything.
“And the Lightning club is so family-oriented.
“They’re such good people to be around, and they all made me the person and player I am today.”
AFLNT introduce major junior grade restructure
The AFLNT will introduce a major restructure of its junior grade system for the upcoming NTFL season, with some clubs voicing concerns.
Territory under-16s show talents in tough interstate series
The NT Talent Academy under-16s side made a strong account of themselves in a tough series of matches against elite interstate opposition. Read about the standout performers.