Darwin basketball to heat up before the Christmas break
This weekend of Darwin Championship Season basketball could see two teams break long running droughts. Get Fred Williams’ complete preview with Fred’s Friday Thoughts.
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With only two rounds left before Christmas, the action is sure to heat up this weekend in Darwin Championship Season basketball.
Eagles and Ansett sit on top of the men’s ladder – but some challengers like Tracy Village are coming hard – while the Jets remain the unconquered queens of the women’s game.
However, will we see Lightning’s men, and the women of Ansett, breakthrough for their first wins of the season?
Find out more in Ansett star Fred Williams’ weekend preview. Enjoy Fred’s Friday Thoughts.
Uni Rebels v Lightning men’s
Rebels suffered a tough defeat last round and really need a bounce back game tonight.
With their core getting healthy and rumours of an addition to the roster, Uni is looking very dangerous moving forward.
Another interesting story here is Lightning.
Each week they seem to be making strides in getting closer and closer to finding that first win.
They are exactly the type of team that could spoil someone’s season if they continue on the path they are on.
Uni Rebels v Lightning women’s
Both are quite secure in the top four with Rebels in fourth and Lightning second.
Rebels would love to widen that gap, but are facing a tough opponent in Lightning who would also like to create some separation between themselves and third-placed Titans.
Guard play is going to be exceptionally important in determining who ends up on top.
Eagles v Razzle/Cannons men’s
Eagles are on a stretch where they are playing some of the best basketball around.
Taking out some of the heavy hitters in the comp in recent weeks, Eagles sit atop the ladder. Meanwhile, Razzle/Cannons, who haven’t had as much success, are no pushover.
As they get healthier and that young talent continues to mature, who knows what can happen.
A high scoring affair should be expected.
Tracy Village Jets v Ansett
The cream at the top also known as Tracy Village Jets women’s team will put that undefeated record on the line again.
This is the last round for all of our ladies before Christmas, so needless to say Jets will want to go out with a bang.
Ansett may have something for them though as they search for that first win of the season. Who knows, Santa may bring them an early present.
Ansett v PaRBA men’s
A long-awaited rematch, the last time these two met it was a back and forth affair that landed United the win and Ansett their first loss of the season.
Since then, it has been a rocky road for PaRBA and they are currently on the outside looking in, if playoffs were to start today.
Luckily they don’t and what a perfect opportunity to get back on track.
Now the Boys in Blue may have something to say about that especially coming off a big win last week.
Definitely one you won’t wanna miss.
Ellas Titans v Eagles women’s
Oh the Titans women, what a story they have been thus far in the season.
Starting off very slow, they are now a very formidable opponent for anyone.
Eagles are a similar story with their youth after hitting a few bumps in the road to start the season.
They have found success though and inch closer and closer each week to being really dangerous.
Both could use a big win to close out the year.
Tracy Village Jets v Ellas Titans men’s
Last game of the weekend and what a doozy we have on our hands.
TV Jets and Ellas Titans are on a collision course, and probably the two clubs who bring the most supports and rightfully so.
Jets have been on a tear in recent weeks and are peeking at that number two spot on the ladder.
Titans sit just below them and have a real opportunity to leapfrog and create distance.
Not the outcome Titans wanted the last time these two met, but an argument could be made they weren’t at full strength.
Jets can make the same case.
Either way we’ve got a good game on our hands.
Fred Williams previews Darwin Championship Season basketball
It will be another chockablock weekend of Darwin basketball, with a double header for the men and a pivotal round for the ladies.
Ansett will look to maintain its place at the top of the men’s ladder while the Ellas Titans, who have won their past four games, are out to knock the undefeated Tracy Village off their perch.
Get the full preview of Darwin Championship Season basketball from Ansett star Fred Williams, with Fred’s Friday Thoughts.
Ansett v Eagles men’s
The outcome tilted in Ansett’s way when these two met in the opening round, but both look very different outfits now.
Eagles have found quite a bit of success so far in the season and will sit one game out of a tie for first if they can get a win tonight.
Ansett, despite suffering a loss a couple weeks back, sit atop the ladder.
But anybody can take this one.
Ellas Titans v Tracy Village Jets women’s
Game two on Friday night puts a red hot Ellas against the well-oiled machine that is the Jets.
Since their slow start to the season, Titans sit second on the ladder and a win tonight opens up an opportunity to close the gap with Jets.
Tracy Village have yet to be really tested this season, so if you don’t come with it, good luck.
Can Titans take down Goliath? Will TV Jets continue to exert their dominance?
You might want to stick around for this one.
Ellas Titans v PaRBA men’s
Titans captured the double digit win the first time around, but PaRBA since have gone on a tear.
United, although losing last week, are still just one game out of first place.
This game could get them one step closer if they can find their footing again.
Titans have been in a bit of a slump in recent weeks, but get some key pieces back in the line-up this weekend.
Both teams have a lot to lose, or gain, in this one.
Eagles v Uni Rebels women’s
Rebels took the cake the last time these two met, but have had some struggles in recent games.
Eagles continue to grow as the weeks go on and have a perfect opportunity to get one back on Uni.
Razzle/Cannons men’s
The Cannons were finally in the winner’s lane after they took down Lightning last round.
A big time game and possible momentum-shifting moment for this young team if they use it right.
Rebels took a tough loss after leading most of the way last round and will be looking to bounce back.
They were missing a couple of potential stars last game as well, so if they do have a full line-up, it could be a lot to handle.
Lightning v Ansett women’s
Ansett are still searching for that first win of the season, but have had some really promising moments.
Even though they suffered defeat the last time they met, Ansett have the pieces to make this game very interesting.
Lightning, on the other hand, took a big loss last week and need a bounce back game to stay in contention for a top two spot.
If they have a full line-up, there’s every chance that Lightning gets it done.
Tracy Village Jets v Lightning men’s
Jets come off an emotional win in the Indigenous Round last week and have every reason to be confident.
Chemistry has been their number one goal and it’s starting to come together.
However, Lightning are the only team who haven’t found a win in the first third of the season, but it is a long season and tonight could jumpstart things.
With plenty of talent, they took a step forward last round against Razzle/Cannons; now they just have to carry it forward into this weekend.
Ansett v Lightning men’s
After a day off, Ansett will take the court on Sunday facing Lightning who tackle back-to- back matches.
Depth has been the key for Ansett the whole season and on weekends like these, it comes in handy.
Lightning face a tough weekend, but can completely turn the season around if they can come away 2-0.
Uni Rebels v Tracy Village Jets men’s
Both teams come into this Sunday encounter after Saturday matches.
Last time these two met it literally came down to the buzzer, with Rebels victorious.
A little bit of a grudge match that will keep you in your seats, and a game that could change the ladder in a big way for either side.
A lot on the table here!
Fred Williams’ review of Darwin basketball
The latest round of Darwin Championship Season basketball saw some incredible individual performances with Razzle/Cannons star Kayden Malseed putting up a triple-double while Tracy Village Jet Jamie-Lee Peris pulled down a colossal 25 rebounds.
And her team continued their unbeaten run to sit on top of the women’s ladder.
Get the full review from Ansett star Fred Williams on a bunch of games which held significant ladder implications.
Eagles v Ellas Titans men’s
The men kicked things off on Friday night to open up Indigenous round with Eagles defeating Titans 94-81.
The game was very tight in the first quarter, but Eagles found a rhythm and took it to Titans in the second and never looked back.
Lafonzo Smith has been leading the charge for this Eagles side and he didn’t miss a beat, scoring 29 points and tallying 13 rebounds.
Titans’ Deba George led all scorers with 31 points, but that wasn’t enough to get the job done.
We’re now a third of the way through the season, so these games are going to really matter moving forward.
Uni Rebels v Ansett women’s
A great 66-55 win for Rebels to get back on track and find some momentum.
Michelle Friel was the stat monster, scoring 14 points and grabbing a team-high 15 rebounds. In fact, Rebels saw four players hit double figures, so another balanced attack.
None other than Zara Pearson led the way for Ansett scoring 15 points and grabbing 16 rebounds.
Lightning v Ellas Titans women’s
Led by Erin Bollmann’s 22-point, nine-rebound and five-assist and steal night, Titans won 73-48 to shoot to number two on the ladder.
Titans have been cruising and using that momentum to the best of their abilities, as Amelia Short produced a 13-point and 10-rebound double-double effort.
Lightning again were missing a few key pieces, but Kahlee Stanislaus put up 18 points as she continues her dominance in recent weeks.
Tracy Village Jets v PaRBA men’s
With the Jets having all but one starter enjoying double figures, they got home 101-89 and now sit third on the ladder.
Will Burton led the charge, dropping 22 points, while JP Davis and Shaquille Hohipa-Wilson had 29 and 24 points respectively for the losers, who have been bumped off top spot.
Things are starting to get really tight in terms of ladder position and with the middle of the season fast approaching, these two teams will need to find some more wins if they want to stay in that top four hunt.
Tracy Village Jets v Eagles women’s
The top ranked Jets remain undefeated after taking out the Eagles, 62-46.
Jamie-Lee Peris continued to exert her dominance on the competition with 23 points while grabbing a massive 25 rebounds.
I wouldn’t be surprised if she is the early front runner for MVP this season.
Meanwhile, this young Eagles team saw another balanced scoring effort, they just needed a few more shots to drop so they could stay close.
As the season continues, two tales are emerging.
Do the Jets keep dominating and roll through to finals and will Eagles put it all together and make a push for a top four finish?
Ansett v Uni Rebels men’s
The Rebels suffered a tough 99-85 loss in what seemed to be their game to win.
Uni came out very strong and led Ansett by double digits heading into the fourth quarter, but Freddy Webb had something to say about that as he finished the game with 31 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists.
However, Fabian Johnson led all scorers with 32 points in the match.
This is a game that slipped right through Rebels’ hands, giving Ansett the top spot on the ladder, all on their own.
Rebels have now fallen into that three-way tie group for third place on the ladder, so this was a big game for both teams.
Lightning v Razzle/Cannons men’s
The final game of the round provided all the entertainment we needed to close out Indigenous Round.
With both teams scrapping for their first win of the campaign, Razzle/Cannons decided it would be them as they took the 92-82 victory lap.
Kayden Malseed will surely become a household name around the Darwin basketball community as he tallied another 44-point effort while notching a quite impressive triple-double, with 13 rebounds, 11 assists and seven steals.
However, Luca Tutty finally found his rhythm, too, scoring 33 points for his Lightning squad.
Great win for RC and hopefully they can use the momentum from this inaugural win.
Fred Williams previews Round 7 of men's and women’s basketball
It will be a special weekend of Darwin Championship Season basketball with players decked out in uniforms paying homage to past, present and future leaders of the land, for a dedicated Indigenous Round.
And some players will hit the round in white-hot form with Deba George recording a near quadruple-double against Lightning while Kayden Malseed goes from strength to strength with another 40-plus points game for the year in Round 6.
Get the full preview of Round 7 men’s and women’s basketball from Ansett star Fred Williams.
Check out Fred’s Friday Thoughts.
Eagles v Ellas Titans men’s
After tonight, a third of the season is gone, so these games may impact where teams sit on the ladder at the end of the home and away fixtures.
One of either Eagles or Titans will take over third place on the ladder and put pressure on those top two spots.
Pretty easy wins for both last week – Eagles hammered Uni Rebels 118-73 with Ambros Eugster just shy of a triple-double while Titans took out Lightning 103-88 – but a battle will ensue here.
Deba George had a huge night with 32 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists and seven steals, so three steals shy of a quadruple-double.
An addition to the Eagles roster may put them over the edge, but Titans have found some consistency.
Do Titans get one of their stars back? Because without that added scoring, it may be a long night.
Uni Rebels v Ansett women’s
The rematches begin in our women’s competition and their first-time-around meeting really came down to it.
Rebels took the cake, but Ansett look quite different this time.
Ansett suffered their worst loss of the season so far last weekend, with the Blue Girls unable to put the ball in the ring.
But they have added some depth and height, which may pose a problem for the undersized Rebels side.
However, where they lack in height they make up for with speed and defensive firepower.
Rebels were missing some of their younger legs last round, but rebounded well with Chantelle Lee and Leasaha and Michelle Friel all grabbing more than 10 boards each.
Neither side have found success in the win column in recent weeks, that will change tonight.
Lightning v Ellas Titans women’s
Another rematch that may look a little different.
Lightning took care of business the first time around in Titans’ debut game, but since then Ellas have been on a roll, winning their last three matches.
Erin Bollmann and Amy list were the standouts, both with double-doubles to propel their team to victory.
A not too early MVP candidate in Claire Maree O’Bryan Hunt (35 points and 15 boards last round) makes this Lightning team very tough to beat and now that running mate Kahlee Stanislaus (27 points and shooting 50 per cent from behind the arc) is finding her groove, Lightning mean business.
Bollmann and List seem to be the hot hands over at Titans camp, but this roster has quite a few pieces that may need to come up big in this one.
Lightning pasted the Eagles 83-58 last round, and are now on a three-game winning streak.
PaRBA United v Tracy Village Jets men’s
Both teams are on a collision course to close out the first third of the season.
PaRBA have been on a red hot five-game winning streak and don’t seem to be slowing down in the least bit, beating Razzle/Cannons last round 116-93.
JP Davis continues his high-level scoring efforts, dropping a cool 30 points and tallying a nine-assist night last round, while backcourt mate Dan Babb found a rhythm, finishing the night with 20 points
Losing that first game of the season must have knocked their ship in the right direction.
Adding more pieces to increase their depth, PaRBA are getting better as the season goes and that’s a good place to be in.
Jets have had a rocky start to this season, but are still very hopeful and not out of it by any means.
With bodies in and out of the line-up, that has made it difficult for Tracy Village to find that chemistry they are used to.
Jets seemed to struggle finding consistent scoring last round, but are getting some promise from none other than Ned and Joel Stevens.
As they continue to find their footing and Jets get some injured bodies back, they will find success again in that win column.
This is an opportunity for one to either get back on track or continue to build on that winning streak.
Tracy Village Jets v Eagles women’s
Unblemished, unfazed, and the finely tuned Jets will take on the inspiring, youthful, hungry Eagles.
Jets have run this competition so far this season and over the years have been the most dominant force this women’s competition has seen.
With the emergence of their youth, it appears the Jets dynasty is in good hands.
The Jets flogged Uni Rebels last round 73-39, with Jay Peris doing what she has done all season, adding another double-double to her resume with 25 points and 11 rebounds.
Tania Dhu was also one rebound and a basket short of a triple-double herself in a convincing win.
For the Eagles, there is so much talent and potential and now they are getting the game experience.
Gabby Reisinger is showing signs of growth from a scoring perspective in recent weeks, hitting the 15-point mark last round.
Eagle have tasted victory and they could be the ones to knock off Goliath and soar in this Indigenous round.
Ansett v Uni Rebels men’s
Ever since they suffered defeat, Ansett haven’t been quite right.
They are winning, but don’t seem to be doing it in a fashion they are happy with.
They beat Jets last round 94-70 in a back and forth affair, with Josh Cherry finding form with a 30-point and 10-rebound game, while fellow import Fred Williams chimed in with 30 also.
Depth can be a gift and a curse if not managed correctly, but if anyone can figure it out, it is the Blue Boys.
Rebels can rain all over that parade, especially with the guard talent and depth in their arsenal.
This is a huge opportunity for Rebels in terms of ladder position and sending a message to the rest of the league that they do in fact belong.
Last week, Rebels seemed to struggle early on and just couldn’t find their touch inside.
Four of their five starters hit double figures, but still came up short.
With the way these two teams like to play, expect nothing less than a shootout. Bring your seatbelts and strap in.
Razzle/Cannons v Lightning men’s
These two teams have seen better days when it comes to wins and losses, but after this one, someone will finally get something going in that win column.
Razzle/Cannons have a star in the making in Kayden Malseed, but will he be special again in this one?
Malseed had 44 points, 18 rebounds, seven assists and five steals last weekend; a one-man wrecking crew.
Luca Tutty finally found his rhythm last week with 28 points and will look to capitalise on that newfound confidence to lead his team to a potential victory.
FRED WILLIAMS’ PREVIEW OF DARWIN CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON BASKETBALL
It’s another big weekend of Championship Season basketball, with a rematch of the Darwin Basketball League Blitz as Ansett take on Tracy Village Jets.
However, Ansett, bouncing back from a rare loss last weekend, will need to curb the likes of Jerron Jamerson who is averaging nearly 42 points a game.
For the full preview of Round 6, catch Fred’s Friday Thoughts from Ansett star Fred Williams.
Eagles v Uni Rebels men’s
Friday night has two great games to start off the weekend with Eagles taking on Uni Rebels.
After five games played, both these squads find themselves in a four-way tie essentially for third place.
It’s very early in the competition, but this is a game that will help break up that tie and get it down to two teams in a tie for that third spot.
Eagles secured two big wins last weekend and Rebels triumphed as well.
Size and rebounding may be a key factor in this contest.
Uni Rebels v Tracy Village Jets women’s
Uni Rebels take on the remaining undefeated team in the competition.
Rebels, who started the season off strong, getting two wins early, have faced a bit of adversity in recent weeks.
It could be their opportunity to turn things around and knock off the number one team in the league.
That is no easy task, and with Jets’ well-rounded approach, Rebels will have to play a flawless game to be there in the end.
A top four on the table clash that could make the rest of the season very interesting.
Ansett v Tracy Village Jets men’s
A rematch of the DBL Blitz grand final, which Ansett won, we should see a very high level of play in.
Ansett, coming off their first loss of the season against PaRBA last weekend, will be looking to bounce back and stay in the hunt for top spot on the ladder.
TV Jets, will also very hungry as they lost their second of back-to-back matches on Sunday.
A fully loaded Jets team will have something to say about that this time around.
Eagles v Lightning women’s
Eagles found themselves coming up short last week in their game against Titans, but sure made it difficult.
It seems this young Eagles team are still finding their identity, but getting closer and closer each week.
Lightning bounced back and looked like the team of old in their win last round.
A team that will be looking to find championship glory by the end of the year, tonight is a vital step in the process to achieving that goal.
PaRBA United v Razzle/Cannons men’s
PaRBA knocked off the undefeated Ansett and took down Lightning for a 2-0 sweep of their double header weekend.
Strength, size, and some outside shooting seemed to be the keys for a PaRBA win.
Their opponent Razzle/Cannons will have their hands full, but have some players that may pose some matchup problems.
Obviously, the point guard play from Cannons is nothing short of elite, but are they capable of putting a whole game together and finally getting that first win?
Ansett v Ellas Titans women’s
Ansett have yet to find a win this season, but are very entertaining and have been quite close to figuring it out.
However, each week they are missing one element.
Saturday is an opportunity to play a complete game and finally get something going in that win column.
It won’t come easy as Titans are on a bit of a winning streak, banking their second consecutive win last round.
Adding a few key pieces back into the line-up, this Titans team is going to be hard to beat.
Quite a bit of young talent will be on display when these ladies take the court.
Ellas Titans v Lightning men’s
Titans found themselves on the wrong end of a blowout in their first game last weekend, but were able to recollect and get the job done in their second.
Titans are still searching for an opportunity to have their full line-up play together and Saturday night presents the perfect opportunity.
Lightning have had a tough roll of the dice so far this season, but as basketball fans we all know it only takes one game to maybe change the course of one’s season.
Lightning continue to show promise, it’s just a matter of finding the balance and creating a winning culture.
Fred Williams’ review of Round 5 basketball
A 42-point game from a Lightning veteran, a young star going 11 from 11 at the charity stripe and just one team left undefeated across the men’s and women’s divisions.
It was another huge weekend of Darwin Championship Season basketball, closing off Round 5.
Check out Ansett star Fred Williams’ review of all the action.
Tracy Village Jets v Ellas Titans men’s
A very tight game up until the fourth quarter when Jets started to pull away, eventually winning 95-81.
It came with another big performance from Jerron Jamerson, scoring 40 and grabbing nine boards.
Will Burton came alive as well for the Jets, dropping 19 points.
Deba George and Nate Jawai finished with 18 apiece for Titans, with the former one assist shy of a triple-double.
Ansett v Tracy Village Jets women’s
Again, a game that in the first half was very tight, before falling the Jets’ way.
Tracy Village were just too much for the ladies in blue at the end with the final score 71-45.
Tikesa Docherty-Cole played a key role in the Jets’ win with 18 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, and four steals, while Jamie-Lee Peris also chimed in with 21 points.
Jets remain the only undefeated team in the competition.
Eagles v Razzle/Cannons
Eagles flew high and got the 112-70 win over RC, but Razzle made it a tough contest the whole game despite the score.
Lafonzo Smith made his mark with a 23-point, 16-rebound effort while young gun Kayden Malseed led all scorers with 45 points and a perfect 11 for 11 from the free throw line.
Ellas Titans v Eagles
The lady Titans now find themselves on a bit of a winning streak.
Securing their second win of the season after a great defensive effort and an offensive onslaught to close the fourth, Erin Bollman caught fire in the final term.
Amelia Short was also consistent inside and with that one-two punch, Titans were able to finish the game.
Eagles showed a complete team effort as far as scoring goes, though.
Alyssa Reid also showed great promise for the Eagles in the fourth quarter, but foul trouble seemed to be the team’s downfall.
Ansett v PaRBA
PaRBA United grabbed the 98-91 victory while handing Ansett their first loss of the season.
A back-and-forth affair that United led for most of, Ansett made a surge in the third to close the gap and take a lead.
However, PaRBA finished the game strong though with Shaquille Hohipa-Wilson on fire in the fourth, leading his team with 25 points and 10 rebounds.
JP Davis tallied his first triple-double of the season with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Fred Williams gave a solid effort too with 32 points and 11 rebounds while Freddy Webb, even though he faced foul trouble early, provided a 20-point performance.
Lightning v Uni Rebels women’s
Lightning bounced back with a major 93-40 win, despite an all-round effort from the Rebels.
With Claire Maree O’Bryan Hunt returning to the line-up, it gave Lightning a decent boost, scoring 42 points, 16 rebounds and five steals.
Meanwhile, teammate Kirra Hill-Carter had a 20-point, 15 rebound and seven-assist night.
Uni Rebels v Lightning men’s
Rebels, who had lost their second game of the weekend’s double header, found themselves in the winner’s circle again with a 104-79 victory.
With four players almost hitting the 20-point mark, that’s a tough out for anyone.
Rebels saw Mixon Laurel, Zachary Scott, and Julian Punsalang score 25, 24, and 22 points respectively.
Fabian Johnson chipped in with 18 to round out the Rebels’ scoring prowess while Luca Tutty led Lightning in scoring with 16 points and a 10-rebound effort.
PaRBA United v Lightning men’s
PaRBA finished the double header round with another win, 109-66, after a big victory the previous night against Ansett.
Dan Babb found his touch scoring 30 points, grabbing nine rebounds and six steals.
Oliver Penman and Luca Tutty led Lightning in scoring, dropping 16 and 15 respectively.
A big weekend for United and another step forward for Lightning in their chase for their first win of the season.
Tracy Village Jets v Eagles men’s
In a rematch of the grand final of a couple years ago, Eagles seem to have Jets covered as they took the points, 98-80.
The Eagles’ size advantage played a key role down the stretch, pulling down 20 more rebounds.
Jaze Morris, Chris Elder and Lafonzo Smith all eclipsed the 20-point marker to boost their team.
Jerron Jamerson was once again the standout for Jets, scoring 32 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
Both of these teams will be vying for a top four position by the end of the season.
Fred’s Friday Thoughts on rounds four and five
It’s another bumper weekend of Darwin Championship Season basketball with Round 4, and few extra games on Sunday to complete Round 5.
And with only two undefeated teams remaining in the competition, opportunities abound.
Check out Ansett star Fred Williams’ preview, Friday’s Friday Thoughts.
Ellas Titans men’s v Tracy Village Jets
Friday night’s match will see plenty of key match-ups and promises to be a barn burner.
Jets took a tough loss last round to Rebels and will be looking to bounce back with a big one.
Some familiar faces may be returning to the Jets line-up, while Ellas, coming off a healthy 2-0 weekend, will be looking to add to their win total tonight.
Rumour has it we may get a full Titans side, but we’ll wait and see.
This is just the start to some good views over the weekend.
Tracy Village Jets v Ansett women’s
Jets women are one of the two squads with an unblemished record in the competition so far.
The average margin of victory is quite large for TV Jets, and they show no signs of slowing down.
Ansett, on the other side, has had some solid games since the start of the season.
Each week it seems they are taking a step forward and getting closer to finishing a game.
Could tonight be the night? This ain’t no cake walk!
Eagles v Razzle/Cannons men’s
Both come in off tough weekends.
R/C, with the double, and Eagles with a nail biter against PaRBA.
Eagles come into this one sitting fifth on the ladder; even though it’s early that’s not a place they want to be.
Razzle/Cannons on the flip side have yet to find a win, but have been in some tight clashes early in the season.
I think it goes without saying, this isn’t just some run of the mill game.
Up tempo, great guard play, some grit, what more can you ask for?
Eagles v Ellas Titans women’s
Both teams secured their first wins of the season last weekend, now it’s time to capitalise, as that whole winning thing can be contagious.
While Eagles started slow last week, they finished strong. And if they can find the recipe, they’re tough.
Ellas seemed to find their groove early on – and have realised they will in most games – and have a big size advantage inside.
Seize the moment and ride the wave.
Ansett v PaRBA men’s
Ansett are still undefeated, taking on a PaRBA team hot off a big win last week.
This is one of the few teams in the competition that can match the depth of Ansett and probably adds more size, which could pose problems.
Quite a bit of talent will be displayed on the floor in this one.
Ansett, again, rely on depth and chemistry, among a few other things.
PaRBA seem to still be establishing their identity, but one thing is for sure they play hard and attack.
Lightning v Uni Rebels women’s
Two teams tied near the top of the ladder.
Both suffered losses last week as well, so I think they might want this one a little bit.
Lightning hopes to have a full team so they can get over the hump while Rebels hope to do the same, as their juniors keep growing and understanding what it takes to win.
These are two historically top three teams in our women’s competition and that usually brings good basketball.
Lightning v Uni Rebels men’s
Lightning, still searching for their first win of the season, may have the match-ups to do it in this one.
High tempo is something that works in their favour and Rebels know high pace all too well.
Watch the young talent in this game, they will tell you who’s going to take it home.
PaRBA v Lightning men’s
Playing out the remainder of Round 5 on Sunday, both will have played the previous night, so there will be no advantage there.
PaRBA seem to have the depth that will make a back-to-back game a little easier to handle, but a tough opponent the night before can take it out of you, win or lose.
Lightning could change the course of their season really quick if they win both games on the weekend.
Tracy Village Jets v Eagles men’s
The last game of the round and this double header weekend is a doozy.
Jets and Eagles men have a little bit of recent history, seeing each other in a grand final a couple years ago.
With some old faces mixed with some new ones, it means a fun watch indeed.
It should be a high tempo, high talent, high pressure game, that will give the ladder a shake-up as we get closer to the third of the season mark.
Fred Williams’ Round 3 wrap
It was another huge weekend of Darwin basketball with games from Friday night through to Sunday, leaving just one undefeated team in each of the men’s and women’s divisions.
Check out Ansett star Fred Williams’ assessment of each match from Round 3 and a Super Sunday of extra contests.
Ansett v Lightning men’s
This game ended up the way most would have expected.
Ansett took over early in the game and never looked back, with Josh Cherry and Ben Wright leading the offensive side of things with 31 and 20 points respectively.
Lightning saw all but three of their players enter double figures, which was a step in the right direction.
Lightning v Tracy Village Jets women’s
Another one-sided affair, the Jets were clicking on all cylinders, offensively and defensively, dominating the game.
Rising star Jayla Throne had a big match scoring 18 points while Jay Peris giving her normal contribution of 20 plus points.
Lighting were shorthanded, missing their skipper Claire Maree O’Bryan Hunt and it showed with the amount of turnovers conceded (32).
Tracy Village Jets v Uni Rebels men’s
Talk about a nailbiter that went down to the wire.
Rebels were able to connect on a last second layup in overtime that put them over the top. Mixon Laurel led his Rebels team with 29 points and saw five of his teammates crack double figures as well.
While Jets were on the losing end, Jerron Jamerson had his season debut and what a debut it was — 53 points and 19 rebounds is quite the effort.
Eagles v PaRBA men’s
In what some might consider to be the best game of the weekend, Eagles and PaRBA United put on a show and again came down to a last-second shot that put the latter over the edge.
Big Shaq Hohipa-Wilson and Jesse Bell played key roles down the stretch, helping their team secure the victory.
Lafonzo Smith and Chris Elder did everything they could to keep their squad close and give them a chance at the end.
These are the match-ups that have significant ladder implications later on in the season, so the next time this game comes around it’ll carry more weight.
Ellas Titans v Uni Rebels women’s
Ellas Titans finally secured their first win of the season with huge numbers from some local standouts in Amy List and Amelia Short.
List had a 27-point and 14-rebound game with Short securing a double-double as well with 14 points and 16 rebounds.
Rebels’ Taneesa Hampton is a rising star in the basketball world, scoring 21 points and securing 11 rebounds.
Ellas Titans v Razzle/Cannons men’s
The Titans closed out the game late to secure the win.
Eli Sample continued his high level scoring efforts, notching the 34-point mark with Billy Paterson-Dunn having a monster game connecting on 17 points and a massive 23 rebounds. RC would not go away, which was largely because of Kayden Malseed’s 44-point effort and a little help from Hudson Heinrich’s 24 points in his Darwin Basketball League debut.
Titans needed this bounce back game after last week, but RC really need to find a win somewhere soon.
Uni Rebels v Ellas Titans men’s
Backing up their Saturday matches on the Sunday, Ellas took the win in a match that started out close before fatigue set in for the Rebels.
Ellas’ Travis Ellis was the stat stuffer for the night, scoring 17 points and grabbing 23 rebounds.
Clayton Jewell off the bench was very efficient, contributing 22 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
Fabian Johnson gave his best effort for Rebels, scoring 45 points in the loss.
A weekend that has three teams tied for second place – with Ellas and Rebels being two of them – who knows what ladder shake ups we may see next week.
Ansett v Razzle Cannons men’s
Probably the most lopsided game of the season so far, with the top side in Ansett taking on bottom team Razzle/Cannons.
But if we look at these rosters, it makes sense.
Razzle/Cannons are a very young team who fielded mostly juniors on their league side this weekend — a group that never gives up and are growing in this competition.
Ansett came into the game focused and took care of business nonetheless.
Round 3 of Darwin basketball
Round 3 of Men’s and Women’s Championship Season basketball is here.
And it’ll be a total hoops feast, with an additional two games on a Special Sunday, with Ellas Titans, Uni Rebels, Razzle/Cannons and Ansett having to back things up.
For your total Darwin basketball preview, catch Fred Williams’ Friday Thoughts.
Ansett v Lightning men’s
Despite their record, Lightning have some talent that seem to be ready to take that next step. However, the team’s young legs are going to be tested.
Ansett come in improving each week, it seems, and show no signs of slowing down.
However, they have been known to overlook some opponents and have it cost them in the past.
Lightning v Tracy Village Jets women’s
Clash of the Titans.
Lightning and TV Jets women have a long history in this competition, so don’t expect anything less tonight.
It is still early in the season and both squads are still working out what works.
With Claire Maree O’Bryan Hunt and Kahlee Stanislaus taking on the scoring load thus far, they are proving to be a force.
For the Jets, Jamie-Lee Peris and Kylie Duggan are nothing to play with either, plus the host of NBL1 experience they have around them.
This is a clash we usually don’t get this early in the season, so enjoy.
Ansett v Eagles women’s
Neither team has found much success in the wins column, but have shown improvement each week thus far.
Despite the record, Ansett have some pieces who just need to continue building that chemistry. CJ Rankin is a tough competitor, and paired with Zara Pearson, equals a tough out.
TJ Sing seemed to find her footing again last week and she has a few teammates who can fill it up as well.
Tracy Village Jets v Uni Rebels men’s
TV Jets come into this game undefeated and wanting to keep that going.
They are still trying to find some consistency in the scoring department but have quite a few guys that are capable, like Will Burton, who has been known to catch fire from time to time.
Rebels need a good bounce back game and this is the perfect opportunity.
It’s only a matter of time before Mixon Laurel starts connecting on some of those outside shots, and Fabian Johnson has NBL1 experience.
Uni Rebels v Ellas Titans
Rebels are another one of those undefeated teams who show no signs of slowing down. Taneesa Hampton is a baller and has been for quite some time.
You mix that with the defence the Friel sisters bring and it’s a deadly combination.
Meanwhile, Ellas are finding their way, but making strides in the right direction.
With this group, the more they play together, the better they will be, and Amy List could be the catalyst for consistency.
Eagles v PaRBA United men’s
A very interesting game with Eagles and PaRBA able to secure their first victories of the season last week.
Eagles even had the stat stuffer of the week in Ambros Eugster, with a triple-double.
His running mates Chris Elder and Lafonzo Smith pitched in big scoring efforts, which makes this trio a tough out for anyone.
PaRBA has a back-court in Dan Babb and JP Davis who are relentless.
And combine that with vets Jesse Bell and Shaqquille Hohipa-Wilson, this PaRBA team is no slouch either.
Ellas Titans v Razzle/Cannons men’s
Both found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard last week, but will look to turn that around this weekend.
Titans were a bit short handed last week.
Eli Sample again showed he belongs, and Clayton Jewell did Clayton Jewell things.
If Deba George is in the line-up, RC will have even more to game plan for.
However, Razzle/Cannons’ Kayden Malseed is easily one of the best guards in this league and just needs a couple of his co-stars to find their groove.
Ellas Titans v Uni Rebels men’s
Both teams have deep benches, so there will be an opportunity for some young guns on the rise.
Ansett v Razzle/Cannons men’s
Ansett have the good luck of a night in between games, as they play their first match on Friday night, while Razzle/Cannons play two games in as many days.
We’ll see if there is an advantage to an extra day of rest or not.
RC lacks depth, but makes up for that in youth.
Games like these, it’s about who gets hot first.
Fred Williams’ review of Round 2
Razzle/Cannons v Tracy Village Jets men’s
The Cannons came out swinging early with a host of players connecting on triples early in the game, with Kayden Malseed, Danny Calcatera, and Jarrod Wall all contributing to their first half lead.
However, Jets are one of those team that will not go away and some late game heroics from Brenton Weedon helped propel them to victory.
Weedon connected on four triples in the fourth quarter that helped seal the deal.
Fourteen points and rebounds also helped Kelvin Williams record a double-double and team captain Alex Weetra was one assist shy of his own.
Lady Jets v Ellas Titans women’s
It was a one-sided affair with Jets taking down Titans in their first meeting of the season.
Tyla Cubillo was on triple-double watch, leading the game with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists.
Coming off a successful NBL1 North campaign, there were some high expectations for Cubillo this season as she continues her growth.
With teammates like Jamie-Lee Peris and Kylie Duggan, TV Jets are always going to be a tough out.
Meawnehile, Titans have a big hill to climb but are showing promise with some good pieces in Amy List and Christine West.
Now it’s about getting that chemistry right and growing their confidence.
PaRBA v Uni Rebels men’s
PaRBA started the game off strong, leading by 18 after the first quarter.
However, Rebels took over in the second quarter, closing that gap and only trailing by five at the half.
Daniel Babb and Jeremee Davis managed to keep their team ahead with the former recording a solid double-double with 19 points and 15 rebounds, while Davis put up 24 points, six rebounds and six assists.
Fabian Johnson will be a Rebels playmaker this season, contributing 16 points and 20 rebounds.
Ansett v Lightning women’s
Lightning seemed to be in control for the majority of the game, but Ansett are a tough, gritty group that are finding their way.
Huge second and third quarters for Lightning, where they outscored Ansett 40-21, propelled them to victory on Saturday night, with a big game from Kahlee Stanislaus (26 points and 11 rebounds).
However, Ansett also saw big rebound numbers from Zara Pearson and CJ Rankin with 14 and 15 boards respectively.
For Ansett it’s all about finding a way to put the ball in the basket.
Quite the possibility we’ll see both teams finish top four by the end of the season, it’s just a matter of where.
Ansett v Ellas Titans men’s
Ansett captain Matty Hunt and the Blue Boys got off to a very hot start, led by Freddy Webb’s defensive prowess and Fred Williams’ hot hand.
Titans, even though they went down early, climbed back into the game, and only trailed by a point at the half.
Eli Sample was a catalyst in that Titans run to close out the first half, which he continued for the rest of the game, scoring 30 of his team’s final 90 points.
Clayton Jewell chipped in 27 of his own, but it was not enough to spoil game 300 for Hunt.
Ansett would go on to win the game behind Webb’s 21 points and a collective effort on the defensive end by the entire squad.
Rebels v Eagles women’s
This was a very tight, contested game with Rebels leading by five at the end of the half.
But a huge surge in the third quarter set up their victory.
Outscoring their opponent 22-8 was the tale with young gun Taneesa Hampton leading the way with 24 points and 14 rebounds as she continues to grow in stature.
Even though Eagles went down big in that third quarter, they rallied in the fourth, outscoring Rebels 21-15, but it was too little too late.
TJ Sing came alive for this young Eagles team, scoring 19 points and grabbing nine rebounds.
Eagles v Lightning men’s
In a very one-sided affair, the men in black and orange outscored their opponent by an average of 15 points each quarter apart from the fourth.
Chris Elder and Lafonzo Smith led all scorers with 33 and 32 points respectively, with the latter also grabbing 18 rebounds.
The big numbers for the night, and the first recorded triple-double of the season, came via Ambros Eugster’s 18 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists.
Lightning has a big hill to climb, but have the pieces to really make some noise in this competition.
Connor O’Hearn and Oliver Penman seemed to have the most significant impact on the game for the Lightning side, who are young and show a lot of promise.
Fred’s Friday Thoughts on Round 2
Round two of Darwin’s Men’s and Women’s Championship Season is here and there are plenty of juicy encounters set to come, including Ansett captain Matty Hunt’s 300th match.
Ansett star Fred Williams has cast his eye over the fixtures, assessing how each team is shaping up ahead of their respective clashes.
Here’s the second edition of Fred’s Friday Thoughts:
Razzle/Cannons v TV Jets men’s
Razzle/Cannons suffered a tough defeat in Round 1 on the weekend, but will look to bounce back in tonight’s matchup against Jets.
Danny Calc and Kayden Malseed will have to shoulder the bulk of the weight if they hope to come away with this one.
Hometown kid Malseed led the way for RC last round with a match high 30 points.
TV Jets handled Lightning fairly easy last week and will look to continue that success tonight. This Jets team uses a balanced attack, so any of them can go off at any moment.
Will Burton was the hot last round with 19 points, but who knows who will shoulder the weight this week.
TV jets v Ellas Titans women’s
The Lady Jets took home a win last week on the back of Jamie-Lee Peris’ big time double-double.
She definitely made her mark, posting a healthy 20 points and 15 rebounds.
Their size and guard depth advantage should work in Jets favour again this week.
The chemistry this Jets team has is unparalleled around the league and will always be an advantage.
Titans’ women will search for their first win in this inaugural season as they came up short last week.
Titans saw a host of girls score the ball, but Amy List had a team-high of 12.
A very young team with great leadership, maybe they do rock the boat tonight and push TV?
Ansett v Lightning women’s
Lightning were very successful in Round 1, led by their skipper Claire Maree Hunt.
She led the entire competition, across men’s and women’s fixtures, with 36 points including 10 triples.
Lightning have all-round solid guard play and it will be tested against this Ansett team.
Even though Ansett found themselves on the losing end of their opening round match, they showed great promise and will look to take another step forward this week.
Zara Pearson will be a handful for most all season and she has some reinforcements on this squad, so once they find their chemistry, look out.
PaRBA United v Uni Rebels men’s
PaRBA had a tough opponent last round in Titans and suffered defeat, but will look to get on the right track tonight.
JP Davis and Dan Babb are a tough out for any back-court this season, offensively and defensively.
For the Rebels, they took the win last round in a nailbiter which came down to the last shot,
with Fabian Johnson and Julian Punsalang leading the way with 18 and 16 points respectively.
The Rebels guards must be ready for some pressure coming their way.
Uni are riding a bit of a high starting the season off 1-0, with a young group that looks quite promising.
Expect a bit of “run n gun” in this one and watch that scoreboard tick over.
Uni Rebels and Eagles women’s
Rebels found some success this past week in their win over Ansett, defensive pressure and youth making for a winning recipe for the Lady Rebels.
The Eagles women on the other side will be hungry for a win and have the personnel to do so.
They held a balanced scoring attack last round, with some big rebound numbers from Gabriella Reisinger with 13 and Agnes Majindi (10).
Another good mixture of young guards who have grown up in this competition and are now of age where they can take over.
This women’s comp will be tight, so every win is going to hold significant value come the end of the season.
Ansett v Ellas Titans men’s
If we had done a pre-season top eight, both squads probably would have found themselves in the top three, if not one and two.
It’s not often you get two teams of this calibre playing this early in the season, but what a treat it will be.
Last week, Ansett were able to pull away late with Fred Williams and Ben Wright leading the way in the scoring column.
Titans took the game last round and were led by Elijah Sample’s 28-point effort.
However, with Ansett captain Matty Hunt playing match number 300, it’s a must win for the Blue Boys.
Titans would love to set the tone early and let the league know they are the team to beat, and a win tonight just might do that.
Lock in, this one’s gonna be good.
Eagles v Lightning men’s
Neither side were able to get it done last week, but someone will get a notch in the win column after tonight.
Even though Eagles came up short last week, they showed great promise and have the potential to be a top four team in this competition.
Import Chris Elder scored a game-high of 25 points and back-court mate Ambros Eugster was right behind him with 24.
With Elder’s leadership and the pieces they have, don’t sleep on the Eagles.
Lightning is another team that has tremendous potential to crack that top four, with a balanced attack — Connor O’Hearn and Luca Tutty had 14 and 13 points respectively last round.
Behind the growth of Tutty and the youth they have added, Lighting will push Eagles in our final game of the night.
Fred’s Friday Thoughts for Round 1
After a long wait, the Darwin Basketball League men’s and women’s championships are finally back promising a massive season full of big name players and exciting match-ups.
Ansett star Fred Williams has cast his eye over the opening round, assessing how each team is shaping up ahead of their first encounter.
Here’s the first edition of Fred’s Friday Thoughts:
Ansett v Eagles men
It has been quite some time since we last saw a Darwin Basketball League first round.
Lucky for us, we’ve got a couple of clubs that are familiar with success in this competition.
The men kick off the evening, with the reigning champs Ansett taking on Eagles.
Ansett returned the bulk of their roster from that championship run, including “El Capitan” and Darwin Saltie, Matty Hunt.
A very deep Ansett squad contains some familiar faces and a few new ones.
Depth has always been the key for Ansett over the years and it will be no different entering this season.
However, Eagles will see two of their core players return from their premiership in 2020 with Ambros Eugster and Chris Elder ready to help this young and hungry team soar.
A new addition to the squad and expected to make a big impact is Lafonzo Smith, who finished this past season in NBL1 West.
A very long and rangy group that will test anyone they step on the court against.
Ansett v Lady Rebels women
Ansett has a brand new look ahead of this first game of the season.
There are quite a few first timers in the league side, as some of their juniors who have grown through the club will have an opportunity to showcase their talents.
Cam Duncan is at the helm and will look to some veteran leadership from new face Zara Pearson.
Uni Rebels will resemble a team of the past who’s chemistry is particularly noticeable on the defensive end.
The Friel sisters are known for their sticky fingers in the back-court, which poses a nightmare for opposing guards.
There are quite a few young legs on this roster, but very talented with a unique ability to score the ball.
Defence and outside shooting will make Rebels a tough out for anyone.
Ellas Titans v PaRBA United men
Ellas, the youngest club in our league competition, have made some significant strides over the past couple years in laying a foundation that may find success very soon.
Titans have a long list of talent that coach Erin Bollmann is going to have fun with, too.
With the likes of Deba George and Nate Jawai leading the way, who’s to say they won’t make it to that grand final at the end of the year.
Meanwhile, PaRBA United, a steady force in men’s basketball, will certainly make their mark in this season’s competition.
They are no strangers to adapting to the current climate of basketball and will show that with the additions to their already tough roster.
Daniel Babb gave us a glimpse of what he can do in the DBL Blitz earlier this year.
And his Saltie colleague, Shaq Hohipa-Wilson, will add some strength and outside shooting to the line-up.
Eagles v Tracy Village women
A very youthful Eagles team will step on the court at 4pm on Saturday.
And quite a few Eagles juniors who have come up the ranks will now get their crack.
TJ Sing and Tekisha Rotumah are back in black with a little experience under their belts and will look to help Eagles return to form.
This Eagles team has some up and coming ballers and they may just shock a few teams this season.
TV Jets, however, are a well-oiled machine.
To be quite frank, all of these ladies will look all too familiar when they lace up against the Eagles.
Quite a few Jets also played for the Darwin Salties this year.
Kylie Duggan, a cornerstone for this Jets side, now has the opportunity to pass that torch to daughter Kaylani as they will take the court together this season.
With the most premierships out of any single team, men or women, it’s kinda hard to bet against them, right?
Razzle/Cannons v Uni Rebels men
Razzle and Cannons have both won premierships in this competition over the last five years and after a brief hiatus, have combined forces.
The beauty, you get both side’s up and coming juniors, which may pair easy with a few veteran leaders.
Kayden Malseed suited up for the Razzle Storm way back in the day and has returned from NBL1 West.
Pairing him with Daniel Calcatera makes for a very interesting back-court, too.
Needless to say, this Razzle/Cannons squad has some pieces that could make a run.
Uni Rebels have kept their ears close to the ground and made some quiet moves to improve their roster.
Even with the new faces, expect Mixon Laurel to have a huge impact on the offensive end. He seems to be still finding his way after that devastating elbow injury earlier this year, but once he finds his rhythm, watch out.
With consistent shooting from Julian Punsalang and a rising talent in Jason Ramsamy, Rebels won’t disappoint in their output this year by any means.
Ellas Titans v Lightning women
A very loaded Titans women’s side will take the floor in their inaugural season armed with
Amy List and Amelia Short, who were part of the female Salties’ inaugural season.
There are quite a few first timers as well on this Titans roster, but there’s no time like the present to jump in and figure out how to swim — sometimes magical things happen in your first year.
Lightning returns with a squad very familiar with one another and chemistry has always been a strength for Jason Ivinson’s group.
In what looks to be a typically very well rounded team, “Ivo” will look to the returning Claire Hunt.
And Lauren Barnes and Sarah Carbone are a couple of veterans Hunt will lean on as she finds her touch again.
Lighting team were a tough outfit pre-Covid and were working on a three-peat.
Needless to say, they are looking to get back to that championship form.
Lightning v Tracy Village men
Lighting, Lightning, Lightning. What do we expect from this men’s side who look to have added some more youth to their line-up?
A very guard-dominant team, as most are in the competition, with some bigs that can step out and shoot the three, Lightning could turn a corner this year.
Luca Tutty has to be a key to Lightning’s success now and moving forward, and his back-court mate Aaron Romero equally has to shine.
During the DBL Blitz, Lightning showed that they can compete and won’t back down, regardless of the opponent.
That toughness and grit will be essential in this contest.
The Jets are no slouch and every opponent knows they better bring their A game.
A team built on born and bred juniors, the fight is always a little different from Tracy.
Alex Weetra is one of those players who can lead and with his unique passing ability, ensures everyone is involved and happy.
Will Burton is also a guy who should be attached to Weetra’s hip, and if he gets hot, the scoreboard will tick over and over.
Are the Jets a top four team on paper? Do they look to add another piece as the season goes on? We’ll see.
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