Star Lightning junior Luca Tutty says breathing exercises, staying calm are keys to success after his great start in Darwin Basketball

HE has a limitless amount of energy, a rapidly-improving shot and can play anywhere on the court. But Lightning young gun Luca Tutty also knows how important it is to relax before a game.

Darwin High School’s 16-and-under basketball team, which featured Lightning star Luca Tutty and performed strongly at the International High Schools and Clubs Basketball Championship in Malaysia in late 2017. Back, left: Logan Law, James Toohey, Kayden Malseed, Luca Tutty, Zeb Hantelmann and Will Burton. Sitting: Tyler Fanning, Lucas Duncan and Jericho Cruz. Photo: Rob Hantelmann

HE has a limitless amount of energy, a rapidly-improving shot and can play anywhere on the court.

But Lightning young gun Luca Tutty also knows how important it is to relax before running out onto the timber at Darwin Basketball Stadium.

And the 18-year-old credits breathing techniques as vital to his impressive start to the 2021 season.

Tutty has averaged 15.67 points per game from the first three rounds, helping his team to an undefeated 3-0 record.

He has also hit an admirable 8-17 from three-point range.

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So what’s the key to his rapid rise in the DBL?

“Some days you just don’t feel as focused as you should, but I do some breathing exercises which help me stay locked in,” the former Casuarina Senior College student told the NT News.

“Confidence is a big thing.

Luca Tutty is averaging 15.67 points per game, with eight from 17 from three-point range so far in the 2021 Darwin Basketball League. Picture: Supplied

“I’ve always been a knock-down shooter, and my confidence has been better this year.

“I’m trying to bring as much energy as I can, and I’m focusing on improving my shooting and just playing my own game.

“I can play any position because I like to always bring pressure and I’m quick across the court.”

With such an impressive set of skills and belief in his own ability, Tutty is aiming to find himself in an NBL1 system in the next couple of years.

“I just want to keep getting better and better,” the Darwin Cyclones and Northern Territory youth representative said.

“It’d be great to play at NBL1 level next year or the year after.

“But I’m not too stressed about it.

“I’ve played in Darwin my whole life, and I’m happy to keep playing in Darwin if I don’t get that opportunity.”

Tutty is delighted at the improvement Lightning has made over the past 12 months.

“We’ve won three straight and I don’t even think we won three games all of last season (Lightning got two wins in 2020),” he said.

“Most other teams have lost their stars, but we’ve kept our core group. And we’ve really jelled well as a team this year.

“It was also good to get some good match fitness in the Division 1 competition before the season started.

“Jason Ivinson coached me in the under-14s, he’s our club president and Mr Basketball at Lightning, and just a great guy.

“And other guys like (playing-coach) Chris Charman, Cameron Bailey, Dylan (De Santis) and Brodie (Hertel) have helped me.”

Charman has been impressed with Turry’s work ethic.“Luca works really hard. He’s always down at the courts practising his shooting,” he said.

“Him and (fellow local junior) Aaron Romero have started the season well for us, which is really pleasing.”

After an impressive 77-60 win over Essington last week, Lightning has a genuine test on its hands against Ansett on Friday night.

“We’ll see where we really stand against one of the top teams in Ansett,” Tutty said.

“They’re a fit side and every one of their players is really good. That’s been a key to their success (Ansett’s strong local junior base).”

But Charman believes his teammates will embrace the challenge because they’ve set high goals for the 2021 season.

“We definitely want to play finals this year. If we keep this team together and the boys stay fit we feel like we can always be a strong side,” he said.

“I’ve been really happy with our start to the season. We’ve been consistent and we’re playing as a team.

“No one’s really been dominating.

“Essington was our biggest test of the season so far, with Travis Ellis and Elijah Barbour in their team.

“Ansett will be another big test for us.”

Ellas also takes on Tracy Village in Friday night’s other Round 4 clash.

Razzle v Lightning and Jets v Ansett are the women’s Round 4 match-ups on Friday night.