Darwin Salties swingman Jarrod Molnar says he feels ‘at home’ in the Territory
After producing one of his best games for the Darwin Salties, Victorian recruit Jarrod Molnar has revealed another secret element to his enviable skillset.
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EDUCATION, professionalism and a dash of hip hop is underpinning the gradual improvement in Darwin Salties swingman Jarrod Molnar this season.
The Victorian, who began his Salties journey in January this year when he caught a flight with his brother Troy to the fledgling franchise’s initial tryouts, continues to grow in stature after one of his best games at the Croc Pot last Saturday night.
Collecting a season-high 17 points from nearly 23 minutes on court against the North Gold Coast Seahawks, Molnar admits he “caught fire” in a 90-second, 11-point burst before half- time.
After struggling through the previous week’s match against South West Metro Pirates with a fever, he was determined to have an impact.
However, it turns out Molnar has been doing that from the very beginning at Marrara.
The 26-year-old told the NT News that Salties coach Matt Flinn had been impressed from the start with his dedication to improvement.
Arriving early for the January tryouts and warming up well before official activities began, plus doing all the extras that few others were doing, Flinn saw somebody who could set a standard for a start-up club.
“He said he was really happy with me as a player and a person as well, and my professionalism,” Molnar said.
“He wanted me to keep up my professionalism and be a good example for the guys in the team.”
Running his own hoops school back in Melbourne, the Jmole Academy, Molnar said he simply has to walk the talk.
“I’m telling my players to be professional and how to do the extra stuff,” Molnar said.
“You’ve got to do what you preach.”
In fact, Molnar’s love of teaching also extends to the world of music.
With his brother and sister running a dance studio in Melbourne – and also perform at Melbourne United games – Molnar is also something of a hip hop dance tutor.
“I’m not a great dancer but I’m a great teacher. I think that’s more important,” Molnar said.
“If you can engage kids and make them have fun, that’s all you need.
‘That’s why I love coaching basketball because it’s about engagement and getting kids to love the game.”
Molnar also has his brother to thank for his Salties journey; paying for his flight up to the Territory for that initial tryout: “He’s a good big brother, and I will pay him back one day (laughs).”
Jerron Jamerson’s men have exceeded some expectations so far in NBL1 North, sitting third on the ladder and providing an already bulging highlights reel through the brilliance of Makuach Maluach and Tad Dufelmeier.
“’Flinny’ has said we’re starting from the bottom,” Molnar said of his coach’s early season assessment.
“We’re a brand new team, nobody knows who we are.
“But at 5-2, third on the ladder, we’re starting to open people’s eyes, they’re starting to watch.
“Our goal is to finish top four and potentially go to the end and take it out, that’s our goal.”
However, he said the team had yet to play a four quarter game and it must sharpen its defence, allowing several teams back into the contest after building big leads.
“If we can put four quarters together, we’re going to be one of the best teams in the league. with the weapons that we have,” he said.
“If we can put a masterpiece together ... it’s going to be dangerous for the rest of the league.
“We’re getting there, we’re putting the pieces together. We’ve got a bit more chemistry now.”
Just as importantly, Molnar is loving the Territory experience so far, admitting he felt “at home” as soon as he hit those January tryouts.
“I’m loving it, I feel like I’m in a different country to be honest, it’s so different to Melbourne,” he said.
“The culture, the environment, the people. But I’m loving the experience.
“It’s probably the best decision I’ve made in my career so far.”
Darwin Salties shoot to third on the NBL1 North ladder
THE Darwin Salties have shot to third place on the NBL1 North ladder, withstanding a late surge from North Gold Coast Seahawks to win by 12 points at Marrara, 87-75
Canberra-raised and Adelaide 36er recruit Tad Dufelmeier continued his hot form for his new team, collecting 20 points, nine rebounds, five assists and four steals, while Jarrod Molnar netted 17 points with a quartet of three pointers from just over 22 minutes on court.
Outscored 22-13 in the third term, centre Nate Jawai, who has been battling knee issues, produced six, steadying points and some killer passes in the last as the visitors continued to challenge.
Earlier, the Salties, who have usually started the stronger team after six rounds this season and without sharp shooter Josh Spiers, found themselves trailing 3-11 at the Croc Pot.
However, the home team then clawed its way back into the contest and eventually led by 20-points, 51-31, approaching halftime.
Molnar, in one of his best efforts for Darwin so far, drained 11 points including a pair of three-pointers in a crucial second term effort.
The Salties’ second terms had been poor in recent weeks but Jerron Jamerson’s men outscored the Seahawks 32-20.
That lead was chiselled back to just seven in the third before the Salties eventually shot away in the last through the likes of Jawai, Molnar (a big maximum) and Makuach Maluach (six points for the term).
Meanwhile, the Darwin Salties women’s team have strung consecutive victories together for the first time this year, beating North Gold Coast by nine points, 76-67.
For the home team, Chelsea Brook picked up 22 points and 13 rebounds while Erin Bollmann was even more prolific, with 16 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists.
An opening 25-15 first quarter was pivotal as the visitors could not close the gap in an even three quarters thereafter.
The Salties, now tenth on the ladder, had lost four games in a row before finally getting back on the winners’ list against South West Metro Pirates last Saturday.
Salties overcome third term scare to beat South West Metro Pirates by 16 points
A SWEET homecoming almost turned into a nightmare for the Darwin Salties men’s team, eventually outgunning the South West Metro Pirates at Marrara on Saturday night by 16 points after a third term scare.
There were a few heart palpitations for local fans as the home team saw its 22-point halftime lead melt away to just two with three minutes to play in the third quarter.
However, a spectacular slam from close-to-best-on-court Tad Dufelmeier, after a momentum-shifting three pointer, steadied his under siege team as the Pirates suddenly stirred from their first half slumber.
The Adelaide 36er was his usual creative and aggressive self, collecting 25 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals in one of his best games in a Salties singlet so far in NBL1 North.
Captain Jerron Jamerson also stepped up for his team at crucial periods – especially in the third when the Pirates were surging – with 26 points, six boards, eight assists and four steals.
Dufelmeier told the NT News post-match the team was still a work in progress, with the sidelined Deng Riak and Shaquille Hohipa-Wilson still to return from injury.
“We’re still trying to build that chemistry,” Dufelmeier said.
“When we get Deng back, we get Shaq back, it should be fun times. But we don’t want to rush them.”
He was also proud to see the Salties withstand the Pirates’ third term assault, following a bad fade out against Townsville Heat and coughing up a 19-point lead to almost lose against Logan Thunder.
“You do think: ‘Not again’,” he said.
“But I’m really proud of the way the guys responded. We learned our lessons, we’ve still got more to grow.”
Earlier, after a testing Queensland road trip last weekend, the Salties returned to the “Croc Pot” and the winner’s list, 99-83, after an early blitz from the usual suspects – Jamerson, Dufelmeier and Makuach Maluach – and some first class steals and passes.
One theft in particular from Jamerson helped create Maluach’s spectacular alley-oop, triggering a roar that would rival anything heard down Abala Road at TIO Stadium at the Gold Coast v Hawthorn match.
A deft Dufelmeier back hander orchestrated Jamerson’s opening two, while Maluach rifled one back to Ben Wright for a maximum.
After the lady Salties flogged the Metro 97-74 earlier in the night, and in his first game at Marrara, former NBA centre now Saltie Nate Jawai produced some important early boards and blocks for his new side, plus a perfectly-timed pass to set up a Jamerson dunk.
The Salties would have been thrilled with a 27-12 lead over the sixth-placed Pirates at the first break, as home town hero Matty Hunt got his first taste of NBL1 action.
Jarrod Molnar then drilled perhaps the longest three seen on a Darwin court, while Maluach, who recently signed with Melbourne United for the looming NBL season, reminded Salties diehards of how many strings he has to his bow.
After landing a three, he then swatted away a Brendan Teys drive to the basket moments later.
However, that monster Salties lead was whittled down to just two, as Teys (25 points) emerged as a genuine threat and the home side lost their forward half sharpness.
With a seven-point margin (71-64) at the final break, the Salties were in danger of being overrun.
But when Josh Spiers nailed a big bomb and Dufelemier continued to make all the right moves, the Salties had regained their control of the game.
Darwin Salties need to improve their second quarters, says skipper
THE 3-2 Darwin Salties need to spruce up their second quarters if they want to give the NBL1 North conference a shake in its debut season, skipper Jerron Jamerson says.
Jamerson, who was one of the leading lights from a testing Queensland road trip last weekend against Townsville Heat and Cairns Marlins, firmly believes the Salties could be 5-0 with some improvement in some areas: defence and understanding what is required on an away double header.
The Salties, who sit seventh in NBL1, have suffered some midgame lapses after five rounds this season, too.
Against the Heat at home in round two, the Salties shot just 11 points to 29 in a final quarter fade out, then they almost coughed up a 19-point lead against Logan Thunder to hold on by four the following weekend.
His side were also blown away in their second quarters last weekend in the Sunshine State, 31-21 and 34-21 against Townsville and Carins respectively.
“We gotta do better in our second quarters,” guard Jamerson told the NT News.
“We usually come out of the gates ready to play. And the tail end of the third quarters (is an issue too).
“Every team has at least three or four legitimate players and everybody is going to make their run.
“But you got to make sure you keep your foot on the gas pedal.”
However, Jamerson says the losses to the Heat and Marlins were “necessary” in fashioning the Salties into a sharper outfit.
“Everybody has had the right attitude in looking in the mirror before blaming the next man,” Jamerson said.
“If I’m honest we could be 5-0 at the moment.
“When everything’s clicking, when everyone’s on the same page, it’s a very exciting game to not only watch, but we are legitimately having fun out there.”
Personally, the skipper was in good form in Queensland with 33 points and five boards against Cairns in a nine-point loss, and is averaging 20 points a game across five rounds.
“I’m always looking to improve, I’ve been doing OK so far,” a modest Jamerson said.
“I still got a whole another level for sure.”
The seventh-placed Salties are back at home on Saturday night against sixth-placed South West Metro Pirates.
Jamerson said the Darwin community had embraced the team so far this year with close to full houses every home game.
“It’s been so fantastic to not only have a team but everyone get around it, it’s music to my ears for sure,” Jamerson said.
“I’ve been enjoying it almost too much to be honest. It’s been fantastic.”
He also said the addition of former NBA centre Nate Jawai, who had pulled up a touch sore after the Queensland trip, and star forward Makuach Maluach, who has signed with Melbourne United for the coming NBL season, had been enormous.
“(Jawai) has been great for us, not just on the court but from a mindset standpoint,” he said.
“He’s been fantastic since he’s been around.”
Darwin Salties go down 108-99 to Cairns Taipans
THERE were scenes reminiscent of David and Goliath at Early Settler Stadium on Saturday night, with former Cairns Taipans teammates Nate Jawai and Ben Ayre going toe-to-toe.
Much like the Biblical tale, however, it was 182cm-tall Ayre who got the upper hand against 209cm Jawai as the Cairns Marlins took down the Darwin Salties 108-99.
Ayre got off to an explosive start in the Fish Tank, looking almost like Steph Curry from downtown (five from four attempts) and shooting 60 per cent from two to have 27 points by halftime.
His flash in the pan, however, ended with a whimper as Ayre was fouled out early in the third quarter.
But Deba George took over from the bench for the Marlins, battling to the rim and collecting 26 points.
“They shot the ball incredibly well,” Salties coach Matt Flinn said after the game.
“You’ve got to make adjustments at halftime. I’m really proud of our guys for the adjustments we made and the intent we showed in the second half.
“We had a game plan we didn’t follow in the first half, we wanted to control pace and run them off the three point line and obviously that didn’t happen.”
One Saltie who didn’t go down without a fight was Jerron Jamerson, whose 33-point game was eclipsed by the Ayre Show.
In his return to Cairns, Jawai looked sluggish in the paint but staunch on defence.
The Bamaga big turned over the ball six times and tallied two points as well as six rebounds in 14 minutes.
“He hasn’t played in a month and he’s so good to have around the group,” Flinn said.
“We’ve embraced him – he said last night it’s the most fun he’s had playing basketball in a long time.
“That’s credit to the group we’re putting together here.”
The Cairns victory snaps a three-game losing streak for the team, and a two-game win streak for the Salties.
Carins Dolphins down Darwn Salties, 79-70
A heroic comeback from the Darwin Salties had Myra Donkin and her Cairns Dolphins a tad nervous, but it was 16-year-old Teyahna Bond who shone for the latter in their hour of need.
The hometown hero joined teammate Penina Davidson in dispatching the Darwin Salties 79-70 at Early Settler Stadium on Saturday night.
Neither side got off to a hot start, with shooting woes crippling Darwin while needless turnovers in transition proved Cairns’ Achilles heel.
Despite the win, Donkin did not mince her words regarding her team’s performance which yielded 20 turnovers.
“We were pretty awful tonight, that’s putting it nicely,” Donkin said.
“We were very all over the place offensively and defensively so we’ll have to review and go back to the tape to see where we will improve for next week.”
But one constant was Bond’s ability to outmanoeuvre her opponents in the paint and generate chances for Cairns — the Far North native finished with 17 points.
Anchoring both the offence and defence for the Dolphins was Davidson, who dominated in the post to finish with 24 points and 15 rebounds.
“Penina and Cayla (George, 18 points), they’re elite so we get a ‘get out of jail free’ a little bit,” Donkin said.
“But we can’t rely on them to just bail us out all the time.
“We’ve gotta get through our steps and know where our shots are coming from.”
It wasn’t the homecoming Cairns hooper Teyla Evans would have wanted — the daughter of Far North basketball stalwart Jenny Evans had 10 points and five rebounds.
Fellow Salties tall Chelsea Brook had a respectable night in the paint with 18 points while star Erin Bollmann collected 23 points and eight rebounds.
Darwin Salties to be bolstered by return of Chelsea Brook
DARWIN Salties women’s team are expected to be bolstered by some big ins for a rough Queensland road trip this weekend, star forward Erin Bollmann says.
The 1-2 Salties, who were torn apart by Logan Thunder 62-94 last Saturday night, are poised to welcome back Chelsea Brook from a knee injury and fellow centre and NT product April Rummery-Lamb for her first game in a Salties singlet.
The Missouri-born, uber creative Bollmann, who has been a shining light for the home team so far this season in NBL1 North, averaging 15 points and 14 boards a match, said Brook had injured her knee in practice at the start of last week.
“That was a missing piece over the weekend,” Bollmann said.
“Last week we had no bigs and now we have two centres. We’re excited about that.”
The Salties will be looking for revenge against Townsville Flames on Friday night too; torched in particular by sharp shooter Courtney Woods with 35 points while Stephanie Reid netted 22 in a 19-point round two loss.
“It was an awakening of how much better and how much harder we have to work and practice,” she said.
“Hopefully we can show them what we got. I think the result’s going to be pretty good this weekend.
“(Townsville have) been playing together for years, you kind of saw the newness that we’re still working through, it gets shown out.
“We need to come out punching (this weekend).”
The Salties also take on the sixth-placed Cairns Dolphins on Saturday night.
Bollmann said the team had done well to start the season so strongly with a 15-point win over Red City Roar at Marrara in round one.
“It was almost surprising we came together so well in that first game,” she said.
Bollmann is a familiar face to some NT players, having played under Salties coach Rod Tremlett for the Territory in a 3x3 tournament at the Melbourne Grand Prix in 2020, before Covid turned up: “He just kept in contact with me since then.”
And Bollmann has embraced the Territory lifestyle so far.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it, I love being part of this team, especially with it being a new team,” she said.
“(I’m) just trying to represent the Northern Territory in a positive manner.
“Once we get rolling and get everyone together it’s going to be a really good season.
“The people are beautiful, the culture of the Darwin Salties is amazing ... I’m just lucky to be part of it.”
Bollmann is a positive force off the court for the home team, too, always looking for the opportunity in every bad situation.
Forced to go home to her native US after just signing with Diamond Valley in the NBL1 for the 2020 season, she then scored a coaching gig with the Santa Cruz Warriors in the NBA G League.
“It was initially (hard), I didn’t really know what to do,” she admitted.
“But for some reason life works out for me in crazy ways.
“I never would have had that (opportunity) if I didn’t go home.
“There’s always a blessing disguise, it was the most amazing experience.
“To be back in Australia again, especially after Covid, every day is a blessing.”
Darwin Salties hang on in nerve-shredder at Marrara
Darwin Salties men’s team have rallied after last weekend’s fatal, final term fade out, recovering from a mid-match lapse to snatch victory from Logan Thunder in an absolute nerve-shredder at Marrara.
Showing why the Territory’s new NBL1 North franchise is now the hottest ticket in town on a Saturday night, the Salties hung on in a frantic final minute to win 97-93, as Tad Dufelmeier coolly nailed two free throws with 16 seconds to run.
The visitors had bravely overcome an early 19-point deficit via the stunning shooting from Jeremy Kendle (34 points) and Boston Mazlin (seven three-pointers from 10 attempts) to edge in front by seven approaching the final change.
But the Salties recaptured their form when it mattered through the consistent brilliance of skipper Jerron Jamerson (22 points and an all-important three in the dying minutes), a resurgent Makuach Maluach after half time (20 points), the creative Tad Dufelmeier (17 points, eight assists) and some crucial plays from Jarrod Molnar (14 points) either side of the final break.
Earlier, the Salties, still without Deng Riak, got off to a white-hot start through the sweet right hand of Josh Spiers.
Spiers, who was kept scoreless by Townsville Heat across 27 minutes of game time last Saturday night, drained four three pointers from as many attempts as the Queensland recruit reasserted his standing in NBL1 North.
Meanwhile, the home side threw its collective weight around under the basket with Dufelmeier tipping one in after snatching his own ball amid a mass of bodies.
Ben Wright, who was defensively strong in stages last weekend, produced the brilliant steal needed to orchestrate a Dufelmeier layup as the home side swiftly shot out to a 32-13 lead with less than 90 seconds left on the clock.
Then, a heavenly flick from the former Adelaide 36er to Jamerson, who was lurking outside the perimeter, for a maximum was the gold standard of slick Salties synergy locals fans are coming to expect.
However, through back-to-back three pointers from the persistent Kendle (19 points for the half) the Thunder clawed their way back to within five points at the main break (53-48).
Then it was Mazlin’s turn to emulate Spiers first quarter precision, sinking a trio of three pointers for the term as Logan took the lead for the first time.
Up the other end, the Salties’ offensive weapons, Maluach in particular, struggled for accuracy and coughed up the ball in offence on occasion.
However, just when it looked like Salties were sinking towards their second successive defeat, Spiers gave his team the breath of life with a magnificent left handed drive to the basket.
Then it was Jarrod Molnar’s moment as he replicated Spier’s stunning drive, triggering the biggest roar of the night to that point, before nailing a three early in the last quarter.
The final stanza was a truly gripping affair, with Mazlin and Kendle continuing to hit threes for fun, before the big man Maluach delivered a brace of his own, just when his team needed it most.
Then, with 16 seconds to play and leading by a solitary point, Dufelmeier showed his class under pressure by nailing two from the line.
Logan’s last shot was wisely left in the hands of Kendle with 13 seconds to run but it hit the rim and the Salties had hung on.
While round one against Red City Roar was a special victory for a variety of reasons – the first for a franchise, a tribute to the late Alier Riak – this felt even bigger.
And when the Salties put together a complete game, it will capture the entire conference’s attention.
Darwin Salties women’s team blown away early by Logan Thunder
Darwin Salties women’s team never recovered from the early gut punches of four successive Logan Thunder three pointers in an opening quarter blitz, going down by 32 points at Marrara on Saturday night.
The Chelsea Brook-less Salties started brightly and did what it couldn’t do early last weekend – land a three – as Ruby Porter got the home team on the board within a minute.
However, the Thunder hit back hard with four consecutive maximums (via Chevannah Paalvast, Ashley Taia, Carla Drennan and Mikaela Ruef) while the Salties threw up several air balls and struggled to convert forward entries, although some shots unluckily rimmed out.
Staring into the abyss as 3-16, local product Kylie Duggan scored neatly off the glass and converted the foul to drag the Salties back into the contest.
Then a three-point play from Erin Bollmann, and a Teyla Evans three pointer closed the gap to a more respectable eight points at the first break (24-16).
However, Logan’s slick passing gave the likes of Paalvast a relative eternity to shoot, while Danielle Baynes’ three was the recipient of a fortunate bounce in, something which evaded the home team.
Logan’s defence was also watertight, regularly stripping the Salties of the ball as they went hunting baskets, while the visitors dominated the rebounds (Ruef 11 for the half and 21 for the game)
A killer Bollmann pass found Duggan under the basket and a Jess Boundy bomb were two of few bright spots for the term as Logan doubled the Salties’ score by half time (24-48).
The Salties had its share of highlights in the second – nice jumpers from Bollmann and Evans, while the latter’s rebound set up a Porter fast break – but it was unable to whittle away the massive margin between the two sides.
While never in the contest, Bollmann worked tirelessly for the vanquished with 15 points, eight smooth assists, seven boards and six steals.
Logan remained lethal to the end beyond the perimeter with an array of scoring options, closing out the match 94-62 in front of another strong and vocal crowd at Darwin Basketball Stadium.
The 1-2 Salties will embark on their first road trip to Townsville and Cairns next weekend
Makuach Maluach on why he came to the Territory
How lucky we are that star Darwin Salties swingman Makuach Maluach loves the heat.
It was the tailend of Maluach’s first professional basketball season in Finland earlier this year when the then 23-year-old started looking for somewhere warm to go for his next hoops adventure.
Like so many times before, Maluach sought the counsel of his number one mentor, Rex Nottage, who used to coach him at Newington College in New South Wales.
“He really taught me what I needed to do to play at the highest level,” Maluach told the NT News.
“He taught me a lot of valuable lessons.
“I talk to him every day, he gives me advice on life, I honestly wouldn’t be here today without him.”
This time, the topic of conversation was Maluach’s next basketball move.
So when Maluach discovered Nottage’s protege, former Illawarra coach and player Matt Flinn, had signed to oversee the new Territory franchise in its first NBL1 North season, the South Sudanese star could suddenly see a new pathway leading him up north.
“I said it’s really cold in Finland so I want to go somewhere warm,” he recalled from that telephone conversation.
“He said Matt Flinn had just signed with Darwin and that would be a good place for you.”
After a positive chat with Flinn, and Maluach remembering how much he enjoyed a school basketball trip to the NT in 2010, a deal was inked.
“I didn’t even think twice. I signed straight away,” he said.
Arriving in the Territory just a few weeks ago, Maluach has already made his towering six foot seven presence felt in a Salties singlet, both in numbers (averaging 24 points and six rebounds a game) and his already bulging highlights reel after just two impressive home games at Marrara.
However, it was that spectacular dunk in a round one win against Red City Roar, where Maluach sprinted from coast to coast before soaring to the basket for the most audacious of slams, which got the entire hoops world talking and social media melting down.
In just a few weeks, Maluach has become one of the Territory’s most watchable sports stars; so it’s little wonder the new import has been embraced quickly by the Darwin basketball community.
“The people here are great,” he said. “It’s been pretty amazing so far.”
While Flinn has clearly helped bring the best out of Maluach’s game so far this season – especially in sensational bursts across the second and third quarters in game two against Townsville Heat – Maluach is largely driven by competition and personal pride.
“I love competing,” he said.
“At Newington it’s always about competing, working hard and never complaining, going out there and doing your job.
“Basketball has offered me so much in my life, it’s only right I go out there and give it everything I got ... to go out there and compete for (Darwin).”
Maluach admits the team is still very much a work in progress, with the Salties falling away badly against the Heat, outscored 29 to 11 in the final quarter to lose 78-94, after missing the rebound game of Deng Riak to a leg injury before the match.
He said the team’s defence struggled in the final term, allowing the opposition to rebound and create second chance shots while the Salties couldn’t convert their own scoring opportunities.
And he takes some personal responsibility for the loss, too, saying he didn’t pull down as many board as he should have in the second half.
“We are pretty new with each other,” Maluach said, predicting Deng should be back in several weeks.
“I think we’ve got to do a better job of closing out games and that will come further into the season.”
“If we play like that every game (in the first three quarters against Heat), we’ll be fine.”
Maluach’s basketball journey began 14 years ago in Armidale, New South Wales, after his family arrived in Australia via Uganda.
At first, basketball was just a bit of fun to perhaps adjust to the Australian way of life. However, Maluach’s natural flair for the game would win him a Newington scholarship in year eight.
In fact talent runs strongly in the Maluach family with brother Matur currently playing with Newcastle in NBL1.
Makuach would then spend four years at the University of New Mexico studying business administration and playing for the Lobos before embarking on his first professional season with Korikouvot in Finland: “They’re really passionate about their basketball over there.”
Which now leaves Maluach unsure of where he will head post-Salties.
“I’ve been talking to a few (NBL clubs) since I’ve been in college,” he said.
“I know a lot of the NBL coaches and assistant coaches... but nothing on the contract side.
“I have a good relationship with some of the NBL teams. If I can stay home in Australia that would be great.”
Darwin Salties fade in the final term against Townsville Heat
THE Darwin Salties men’s team faded badly in the final term to taste defeat in NBL1 North for the first time, going down 78-94 to Townsville Heat, despite star recruit Makuach Maluach continuing to build his reputation as the Territory’s most watchable sports star.
Aided by the more than handy inclusion of Tad Dufelmeier, via the Adelaide 36ers, the Salties continued to play an exciting brand of basketball, for three quarters at least, that no genuine hoops fan can miss, with a string of deft offensive passes and combative defensive swats.
However, after skipper Jerron Jamerson nailed a dunk with less than two minutes to play in the third, extending the lead to five points, the Salties suddenly lost their collective bite, and were outscored 29 points to just 11 in the final quarter.
The Salties were without Deng Riak, who scored 18 points last weekend against Red City Roar, while Josh Spiers was kept scoreless in 27 minutes of game time against his former club.
And when Matthew Rees nailed a jump shot two inside the perimeter with 93 seconds left, there had been a 20-point turnaround.
For the visitors, deadeye Richard Peachey (24 points with a quartet of three pointers), the uber athletic DeAndre Daniels (21 points, 12 rebounds) and Rees (13 points, 10 boards) led the Heat assault.
Earlier, Dufelmeier had an immediate impact with seven points for the opening quarter, while Shaquille Hohipa-Wilson made his first score in a Salties singlet stand out, a three point jumper which found its way home.
Last Saturday night’s high flying hero, Maluach, didn’t forget his Superman cape and was never far away from the action in the first three quarters, whether in defence or attack, collecting 23 points by the last break.
You simply can’t take your eyes off this man when he has the ball.
There was an air of anticipation that another 24 carat gold dunk was coming when the 24-year-old surged towards the basket midway through the second term, only for the ball to be ripped from his grasp by a Heat opponent.
However, after draining a three pointer, providing a sharp assist for Hohipa-Wilson’s drive to the basket, pulling down multiple boards and then producing the sweetest of jump shots in a stunning second term, he reminded local fans he’s far more than just Darwin’s dunk king.
With 16 points for the half — including a trio of three pointers from four attempts — he was a big reason behind the Salties turning a ten-point deficit into a five-point buffer by the main break.
Later in the third, the entire team bench stood as one as Maluach’s long range attempt hit the rim, then moments later in defensive mode, he swatted away a Daniels’ reach for the bucket.
The pair would clash heavily moments later during another Heat foray forward.
Most impressive though was the Salties’ synergy in the front half.
When a slick Ben Wright pass under the basket orchestrated an Ambros Eugster layup, it was repaid moments later, with Eugster finding Wright for a score of his own.
Dufelmeier then upped the Salties’ elite passing game further when he hit up Wright for two, tying the scores at 31 apiece.
Wright was also brilliant at times down back, swatting away an Ethan Betts shot, which triggered a massive roar from another healthy Salties crowd.
The hits kept on coming in the third, with Maluach’s scintillating drive to the basket not able to be adequately described here, while Dufelmeier’s lightning pass to Jarrod Molnar for three was equally breathtaking for vision and execution.
However, the Salties were unable to contain Heat’s momentum in the final term.
Salties torched by Townsville Flames
DARWIN Salties women’s team have come crashing back down to earth after their stunning debut seven days prior, torched by the Townsville Flames after a promising start on Saturday night.
The Salties had no answer for Townsville sharp shooter Courtney Woods, who landed a match-high 35 points, including a quartet of three pointers, and was a constant headache for the home team’s defensive structures, losing 60-79.
Running out in pink, the Salties, who started their NBL1 journey with a 19-point win at home over Red City Roar, were given a dose of their own medicine after starting strongly yet again at Darwin Basketball Stadium.
Townsville were on the board within five seconds through a Woods layup, but the Salties steadied through Ruby Porter’s stunning jumper for two and a terrific drive to the basket from the classy Erin Bollman with that reliable southpaw, setting up an early six-point lead.
However, the Salties ultimately lacked accuracy, unable to nail multiple three-point efforts, as Townsville levelled the scores with a Stephanie Reid maximum in the final minute, and then edged ahead through a successful free throw with seconds left on the clock.
The Flames looked the slicker unit in the second term with all-important scoring precision as the Salties struggled for consistent connection in their attacking half.
It would take until the fifth minute of the second for the Salties to finally land a bomb, through the precise hand of Porter, after Townsville threatened to pull away when Woods produced back-to-back efforts from outside the perimeter.
The number seven’s shooting was becoming a massive issue for the Salties, netting 15 telling points for the half.
Bollman was again in the action, diving on a rebound with three Flames surrounding her before finding the bucket, then Chelsea Brook scored a further two off the glass.
A three-pointer from Serena Waters was the basketballing definition of desperately needed, closing the margin to seven with two minutes left before the main break.
A change of ends made a world of difference in the third, too, as the Salties suddenly found their scoring sweet spot.
And it was the Ruby Porter Show early on with an effective drive to the basket, before rifling off a killer crosscourt pass to Evans – who drained the three right by the team bench – then adding a two-point hook shot for good measure.
However, Woods continued her dominance over Darwin, landing her third three pointer for the night, as the Flames withstood the Salties’ mini revival, going to the last break with a 13-point margin.
A three to Bollman gave the home team some belief early in the fourth, and NT product Kylie Duggan scored her first points in Salties colours, but they couldn’t quite find the sweet connection of last week and draw close enough to steal victory.
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