Tasmania JackJumpers march into Game 3 semi final decider in New Zealand after Breakers win

The JackJumpers’ season is well and truly still alive after setting up a mouth-watering semi-finals Game 3 decider in New Zealand with a gutsy 89-78 Game 2 win in Hobart. RECAP >>

Rashard Kelly of the Jackjumpers drives to the basket during game two of the NBL Semi Final series between Tasmania Jackjumpers and New Zealand Breakers at MyState Bank Arena, on February 16, 2023, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

UPDATE, 9.25PM:

THE JackJumpers season is well and truly still alive after setting up a mouth-watering semi-finals Game 3 decider in New Zealand on Sunday with a gutsy 89-78 Game 2 win over the Breakers in Hobart on Thursday night.

After being thumped by 20 points in Game 1 in Auckland, the JackJumpers refused to call time on their NBL23 campaign as a monster performance from Milton Doyle led Tassie to a series-tying 11-point victory.

As they’ve become accustomed to doing, the Ants dug deep when it mattered in Thursday’s cutthroat final with a critical two-minute stretch to end the third term proving pivotal in the impressive win.

Milton Doyle of the Jackjumpers gets the rebound during game two of the NBL Semi Final series between Tasmania Jackjumpers and New Zealand Breakers at MyState Bank Arena, on February 16, 2023, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

After scores were deadlocked at 42 points in a seesawing first half, the visitors threatened to take a stranglehold on the game in the third term before Doyle sparked a 9-0 Jackies run to flip the game on its head as Tassie stormed home to the delight of its raucous home crowd.

Led by their smooth-moving American’s brilliance, the Jackies turned a 60-55 deficit with 2:01 left in the third term into a 64-60 lead at the final break before outscoring the visitors 25-18 in a clinical final term to claim a gutsy win.

The result tied the semi-final series at 1-1 to setup a monster win-or-go-home clash across the ditch at Spark Arena on Sunday, with the winner advancing to the NBL Grand Final series while the loser’s season will come to an end.

Jamaal Brantley of the Breakers shoots during game two of the NBL Semi Final series between Tasmania Jackjumpers and New Zealand Breakers at MyState Bank Arena, on February 16, 2023, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Tassie will be hoping its All-NBL First Team star Doyle can repeat Thursday’s outing after the 29-year-old Illinois native carried the majority of the offensive load on his way to a game-high 23 points on 8/17 shooting to go along with three rebounds, five assists and three steals in a match-winning performance.

Clint Steindl of the Jackjumpers addresses the team after the win during game two of the NBL Semi Final series between Tasmania Jackjumpers and New Zealand Breakers at MyState Bank Arena, on February 16, 2023, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

It appeared every time the Breakers threatened to break away it was Doyle who wrestled back momentum with a number of timely buckets.

Doyle’s sidekick Jack McVeigh also played a huge role in the win with the Smiling Assassin also hitting big shots throughout the second half to finish with 16 points (5/8 from the field and 3/5 from deep) and three rebounds.

Fans celebrate during game two of the NBL Semi Final series between Tasmania Jackjumpers and New Zealand Breakers at MyState Bank Arena, on February 16, 2023, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Scott Roth Head Coach of the Jackjumpers celebrates the win during game two of the NBL Semi Final series between Tasmania Jackjumpers and New Zealand Breakers at MyState Bank Arena, on February 16, 2023, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Fans react during game two of the NBL Semi Final series between Tasmania Jackjumpers and New Zealand Breakers at MyState Bank Arena, on February 16, 2023, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

For the visitors, Barry Brown Jr led the way with 19 points (8/18) while Dererk Pardon posted a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Jarrell Brantley finished with17 points and nine rebounds for the Breakers but shot just 7/18 from the field.

Despite its brief existence, Tassie will have history on its side in Sunday’s cutthroat final, with the NBL’s newest franchise having overcome a similar 1-0 deficit in last season’s semi-final series with Melbourne United to win its next two games to remarkably advance to the Grand Final in its debut season.

Meanwhile New Zealand will be looking for its first taste of Grand Final action since 2016 when the Breakers lost the title decider 2-1 to the Perth Wildcats.

Sean Macdonald of the Jackjumpers drives to the basket during game two of the NBL Semi Final series between Tasmania Jackjumpers and New Zealand Breakers at MyState Bank Arena, on February 16, 2023, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Milton Doyle of the Jackjumpers drives to the basket during game two of the NBL Semi Final series between Tasmania Jackjumpers and New Zealand Breakers at MyState Bank Arena, on February 16, 2023, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

EARLIER:

AS JackJumpers fever takes over the state, the Jackies will once again honour Tasmania’s basketball history by donning the club’s Tassie Devils-inspired heritage uniform in Thursday’s must-win semi-final against New Zealand in Hobart.

After losing to the Kiwis in game one of their best-of-three semi-final series in Auckland on Sunday, the Jackies will now host game two at the Nest in a clash they must win to keep their season alive.

David Szoka is one of many fans answering the call to ‘paint the town green’ in support of the Jackies’ finals run, with the Oakdowns resident transforming his home into a glowing emerald oasis.

“For us, Tasmania has been missing out on a big national team and it’s not a Hobart or Launceston team, they embrace the whole state,” Mr Szoka said.

David with wife Tanita and daughter Grace 5. David Szoka of Hobart who has lit up his home in green to support the Tasmania JackJumpers. Picture: David Szoka

“They’ve gotten behind the community with clinics across the state and seeing so much of the state in green last Thursday was just fantastic and I’m hoping we can keep the house green [if they win on Thursday] but we should be proud of them regardless as it’s their second year in the competition and second year in finals.”

Mr Szoka said his family had certainly caught JackJumpers fever as they prepared to cheer the Ants against the Breakers.

“I used to go for the [Hobart] Devils back in the day and have always loved basketball, so when the JackJumpers came along the family got interested and this season we have really taken a huge interest,” he said. “We weren’t members in the first year but this year we get to every game we can and our five-year-old Grace absolutely loves it.

“We’ll all be there at the game [tonight] and our daughter will be in the guard of honour for the first time.”

JackJumpers star Jack McVeigh said there’s no place he’d rather be than MyState Bank Arena on Thursday night.

Will Magnay and Milton Doyle who will wear their heritage uniform for the game. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“It’s exciting as it’s must-win basketball and where else would you rather be and what else would you rather be doing,” McVeigh said.

“I know for sure for me it’s playing must-win basketball games in this arena in front of these fans.

“Playing in front of these fans is my favourite thing in the whole world.”

McVeigh said last season’s semi-final win over Melbourne United in Hobart was special and hoped the Jackies could replicate that tonight.

“The energy in here [MyState Bank Arena] is going to be jumping and game two last year against United was something I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” he said.

“The crowd was so loud it was unbelievable and I know going to sleep tonight I’ll be excited to hear that roar again.” Asked if fans could eclipse that memory, McVeigh said he’d be doing his best to fire up the Ant Army.

“We’ll see what they’re [the fans] capable of,” he said. “I’ll get some waving going on and I’ll be beating my chest and we’ll see if they can answer the call.”

The JackJumpers and New Zealand clash will tip off at 7.30pm with a game three, if required, to be played in Auckland on Sunday.