Tracy Village Jets make use of youth to win their second game of the 2020 Darwin Basketball Championship season over a strong Palmerston Power outfit

TRACY Village’s young and spirited squad stuck to their guns to win 86-76 over a strong Palmerston side in the second round of the 2020 Men’s Basketball Championship

Jets’ Ned Stevens stood out with 20 points in his team’s 86-76 win over Palmerston on Thursday night Picture: KERI MEGELUS

TRACY Village’s young and spirited squad stuck to their guns to win 86-76 over a strong Palmerston side in the second round of the 2020 Men’s Basketball Championship on Thursday night.

Young guns Ned Stevens (20 points), Thomas Malseed and Keenan Abbott (both 14 points) stood out in Jets’ second win in as many games.

The game came down to the final quarter, which started 72-58 in favour of Jets.

A Power fightback from Travis Ellis (20 points), Steven Sing (19 points) and Tom Godwin (15 points) saw the score difference narrow to as little as four points with five minutes remaining.

But Jets held on, and used their running game to stay in control and hold on to the lead.

Jets captain Liam MacLachlan (12 points) was particularly pleased with his side’s win in the close encounter.

“It was actually a pretty good win and got pretty close in the final quarter,” MacLachlan told the NT News.

“They came back in those first few minutes of that quarter but we managed to keep our momentum and scored the win.

“Our defence was probably the biggest aspect of the game while our running game, getting up and down the court, was strong as usual.”

With wins over last Challenge season table-toppers Ellas Titans and now a strong Palmerston outfit, Jets will have marked themselves as one of the sides to beat in this year’s Championship.

MacLachlan believes the early wins have given his side plenty of confidence for its next encounter against Uni Rebels on Thursday night

And even more confidence will come with the upcoming inclusion of Jerron Jamerson.

Jamerson was an integral part in Razzle’s 2019 Championship and is now expected to bring his host of playing experience to the Jets.

“He’s currently in quarantine but will be available as soon as possible,” MacLachlan said. In other Thursday night senior men’s league action, Essington (Raymond Jarrett 24 points) triumphed 99-72 over Ellas Titans (Deola D’Brown 37 points).