Wallabies aiming for form bounce after loss to Magic in Alice Springs Basketball Premier League, face league leaders Rockets next up

WALLABIES might be sitting in last spot – with a 2-6 record in the men’s Alice Springs Basketball Premier League – but it’s hard to question their commitment to improvement.The team lost 59-50 to second-placed Magic on Monday night, but for most parts the game was delicately poised.

Wallabies’ Dennis Orr scored six points in his team’s 59-50 loss to Magic. Picture: PHIL WILLIAMS

WALLABIES might be sitting in last spot – with a 2-6 record in the men’s Alice Springs Basketball Premier League – but it’s hard to question their commitment to improvement.

The team lost 59-50 to second-placed Magic on Monday night, but for most parts the game was delicately poised.

“We got their lead back down to two to four points, but our shots just weren’t dropping at the end,” senior player Darian Preece – who scored 14 points – told the NT News.

“It was the first time Magic beat us all season.”

Red Centre star James Melky stood out for the victors, with 30 points.

Preece was happy with the performance of his young gun Connor Gilby, who also finished with 14 points.

“Connor can be a monster down low when he’s on,” Preece said.

“He’d only be 16 and is six-foot-three (191cm). He just missed out on the NT squad.”

As for his own game, Preece said he was starting to find his groove once more, after the COVID-19 break.

“I was a bit rusty when we started playing again, but I’ve got my shot back now,” Preece said after hitting four three-pointers against Magic.

Wallabies next face competition leaders Rockets in Round 10 action on Monday.

“They’ll be tough,” Preece said. “We had one of our rougher games last time we played them (a 62-56 defeat in Round 7).

“We turned the ball over a lot that night.”

In the other Round 9 game, Rockets beat third-placed Rebels 55-50, Schaylen Parai top-scoring with 16 points for the victors.

Rebels v Magic is the other Round 10 match and is also set for Monday night.