Lightning coach Jason Ivinson: Forfeit v Tracy Village Jets won’t happen again in Darwin Basketball League, Peta Bailey thrilled with her team’s sacrifices in 2021
EXCLUSIVE: Lightning coach Jason Ivinson had no choice but to forfeit tonight’s blockbuster Darwin Basketball League clash against Tracy Village. But captain Peta Bailey has been thrilled with her understrength team’s efforts so far this season.
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JASON Ivinson has coached the Lightning top-league side in the Darwin Basketball Association since 2007 and has never experienced the disappointment of a forfeit.
That was until last night when the club had no choice but to surrender its Round 6 grand-final rematch against Tracy Village tonight.
But it was through no fault of Ivinson’s players, with the three-time defending premiers already short on players to start the 2021 season.
Key absentees have been stars Claire Maree O’Bryan, Dom Carbone and April Rummery Lamb.
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“It’s the first time we’ve had to forfeit because we only had four available players,” Ivinson told the NT News.
“Kirra Hill-Carter hurt her ankle against Ansett last week and we could’ve strapped it right up, but we had to look at the long-term picture.
“Eulaly (Allen) isn't available. I was waiting on news on her and I found out at 6pm (yesterday).
“And Georgia Dawson can come up from Division 1, but she’ll be focused on her refereeing and I understand that because she’s a good referee.
“Then our juniors coming through aren’t quite ready to be exposed to this level just yet.
“We were literally left with four players.
“It’s a shame because Claire was back available for this game and she was really looking forward to it.
“(But) we have a bye next week and this won’t happen again this season.
“The disappointing thing is we don’t get any competition points which could affect us when wanting to finish second and getting a second chance in the finals.
“But what matters is being there when the finals come around. And we will be there.
“We might even have April back (who is starring for Central District Lions at NBL1 Central level).”
Despite last night’s setback, stand-in Lightning captain Peta Bailey told the NT News earlier this week how proud she was of her teammates.
Despite starting the 2021 season with an understrength roster, Lighting went into this round with an admirable 3-1 record.
The three-time reigning champions pushed the Jets all the way to lose 60-56 in a spirited Round 1 defeat.
“I’m very thrilled with how we’ve been playing – we’ve been together a few years now, so we know each other’s games well,” Bailey said.
“Everyone has stepped up. Kirra Pendlebury has been strong inside, and Kirra Hill-Carter has shot well without Dom and Claire.
“We’re very team-oriented.”
Bailey, a veteran forward of over 400 Darwin Basketball League games, said hard work and team-first values led to her side’s remarkable three straight titles heading into this season.
“We back each other and support each other,” she said.
“We’ve never had any guarantees – there weren’t any guarantees we’d win one championship. We’ve had to work hard for it.”
Bailey’s team did her club proud by pushing the Jets all the way in the four-point loss during the opening week.
“Defence for us was a huge factor because they have such good shooters,” she said.
Bailey, 37, will be an important part of Lightning’s rebuild after notching up her 400-game milestone in the top league during the semi-finals last year.
“I would’ve played my first league game at 16. Touch wood I can stay injury free,” she said.
Uni Rebels v Ansett is the other Round 6 match scheduled for tonight.
In Round 6 men’s action, Lightning continued its impressive start to the season with an 82-50 win over Palmerston.
Lightning now has a 4-2 record.
“(Championship-winning) big man Craig Martin has been available, which has been massive,” said Ivinson, who is also Lightning’s club president.
“We’ve got a good mix of young and veteran players in the men’s team.”
And Ansett beat Uni Rebels 86-62.
Eagles v Ellas and Essington v Jets are tonight’s games.
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