Tracy Village Jets’ Kylie Duggan says her star-laden team will find top form in time for DBA finals

DESPITE being upset 65-61 against Ansett last Friday night, no one at Tracy Village is panicking.It was the first loss of the 2019-20 Darwin Basketball Challenge season for a Jets side full of champion players, former Village star Frances Fatnowna (12 points) standing out for the victors.But Jets captain Kylie Duggan is calm and composed at the best of times.Her team is expected to bounce back – and win – against Uni Rebels on Friday night.

Tracy Village skipper Kylie Duggan says her team will find an extra gear with the DBA Challenge finals approaching. Picture: KERI MEGELUS

DESPITE being upset 65-61 against Ansett last Friday night, no one at Tracy Village is panicking.

It was the first loss of the 2019-20 Darwin Basketball Challenge season for a Jets side full of champion players, former Village star Frances Fatnowna (12 points) standing out for the victors.

But Jets captain Kylie Duggan is calm and composed at the best of times.

Her team is expected to bounce back – and win – against Uni Rebels tomorrow night.

“We’re approaching the finals now. We know it’s a different game in the finals, and we’re a better team with our finals experience when those games come around,” Duggan told the NT News.

“I’ve got no doubt we’ll be prepared.”

Danielle Totham missed the defeat against Ansett, and the Jets’ cause was not helped when star playmaker Erin Geer (14 points) left the game with a head knock.

“We might be missing her next game. She went to hospital for an assessment but she’s OK,” Duggan said.

Two-time reigning champions Lightning will take good form into the clash against Razzle on Saturday night, after strong wins over Ansett (67-28) and Rebels (77-45).

“It’s been a good past two weeks. We’ve got our eyes on the finals,” Lightning coach Jason Ivinson said.

April Rummery Lamb – consistently among Lightning’s best players – stood out with 24 points in the win over Rebels last Thursday night.

“She’s still only 17 and working towards her goal of playing at a college overseas,” Ivinson said. “There’s a lot of scope for her to get better, especially if she goes to a college, and plays and trains against tougher opposition.”

Lightning – also with just one loss – are expected to comfortably beat Razzle.

“I’m happy with the way we’re going. We’re getting good numbers to training,” Ivinson said.

In men’s Round 13 Challenge action, defending champions Razzle – in a rebuilding season – have the unenviable task of facing the star-laden Ellas Titans on Saturday night.

“We’ve been down some players, so the guys playing have been doing well,” star American import Jerron Jamerson said, after sitting out the Storm’s 106-73 loss to Palmerston last Friday night.

“Ellas is one of the better teams in the league, so we’ll see where we’re at when we play them. I’m not sure (if I’ll play).”

In the other women’s Round 13 game, Essington will take on Eagles tonight.

In other men’s Round 13 games, Eagles will face Essington tonight, Palmerston takes on Lightning tomorrow night and Ansett will clash with Tracy Village on Saturday night.