‘Basketball heaven’: Jackson claims sixth WNBL title, 25 years after her first, United down JackJumpers in NBL title series opener

Basketball great Lauren Jackson looked across at Southside Flyers teammate Bec Cole in the dressingroom before the deciding game three of their grand-final series against the Perth Lynx on Sunday, and said it was time to deliver.

“For her, to go down with injury [Achilles] the way she did last season, was, obviously, heartbreaking,” Cole said hours later, as the winning Flyers maintained basketball’s celebratory tradition and cut the net as a keepsake.

Lauren Jackson celebrates with Rebecca Cole after the Southside Flyers clinched victory on Sunday.Credit: Getty Images

“Before the game, we were in the change room, and she was like: ‘Coley, let’s just bloody win, so I can go to basketball heaven’.

“Who knows? It could be the end, but it might not be. If you are playing that good, why would you stop? But, for us, the focus was just on the team. Get the win and how special for LJ to get it done, a quarter of a century later.”

Twenty-five years after her maiden Women’s National Basketball League title, with the then Australian Institute of Sport, and 14 years after her last, when she was in the pomp of her career, Jackson is a champion for a sixth time after the Flyers stormed to a 115-81 win at Melbourne Sports Centre in Parkville.

“I know, it’s crazy,” a relieved Jackson said, with her two boys, Harry and Lenny, in hand. “That’s crazy. It’s awesome – I’m so proud of the girls.”

The Flyers celebrate with the trophy.Credit: Getty Images

“It’s been a hard year so for us to get here and win it like this after what happened here in game one is pretty special.

“It’s so much better when you’ve got your kids and family with you that’s for sure, and I couldn’t do it without them. So it’s remarkable, and I’m just so proud of my two boys.”

Before a raucous home crowd, import centre Mercedes Russell was crowned finals most-valuable-player behind 13 points and 13 rebounds, while bench spark Jasmine Dickey had a team-high 19 points. Cole had 17, while Maddi Rocci and Carley Ernst each added 15, as the Flyers collected their second title, although they did have three when they were the Dandenong Rangers.

Jackson had 12 points, including a key three-pointer in the third quarter, and six rebounds in almost 30 minutes, the 42-year-old given a standing ovation by many fans when she left the court with almost five minutes remaining.

That’s mine: Lauren Jackson stretches for a rebound in Sunday’s championship clinching win over the Lynx.Credit: Getty Images

The victory adds to the swag of honours, including two WNBA championships, for arguably the greatest basketballer this country has produced.

Flyers coach Cheryl Chambers, now a three-time WNBL championship winner as a coach, said Jackson’s work on the glass had also been pivotal in the win.

“The thing about ‘Loz’ is that she is not only a good scorer, but she is an awesome rebounder. That’s a little bit of a forgotten art, I think. She is such a good rebounder,” Chambers said.

“I saw her also chase down a loose ball … I thought she was 27 again.”

Jackson missed last year’s losing grand final series because of a torn Achilles, and later also had foot surgery, which had many believing her short comeback, which helped the Opals to a bronze medal at the 2022 World Cup, was over. But Jackson’s renowned drive kicked in.

“What other person could go through all that training, an Achilles, the foot injury, and come back and be so poised. And the game has changed a lot. But clearly she has IQ above whatever is happening, or a feel for the game. She just has such a competitive nature. It’s crazy,” Chambers said.

The Opals great is now set to head to Paris for her fifth Olympics – 12 years after her fourth.

“We haven’t even spoken about that. I guess her next question is the Opals. But we haven’t even thought about it,” Chambers, also an Opals assistant coach, said.

This series will be remembered for its physical play, the Lynx stealing home-court advantage in Melbourne a week ago, before the Flyers – behind a Russell shot on the buzzer – scrambling a two-point road win on Thursday. Game three was true to form.

Jackson scored the first points of the afternoon off an offensive rebound, while her famed low-block game was on show when she spun, scored and was fouled, converting a three-point play, as the Flyers held off hot-shooting guards Mela Goodchild and Aari McDonald to take a 28-27 lead into quarter-time.

The Lynx wanted to run, but the Flyers went on a 24-12 surge in the second term behind strong defence and guards Mitchell and Rocci. Good shots came from well-run offence, while Dickey – as she did in game two – provided punch off the bench. Sweet-shooting guard Amy Atwell was the Lynx’s main threat, but a scoreless half by captain Anneli Maley hurt.

Ernst was instrumental in the third quarter, the back-up centre pouring in 11 points, including a trifecta of three-pointers. The former Melbourne Boomers’ championship player had fans in rapture, as the home team stretched their lead to 20 by the final break.

The tenacious Flyers denied the Lynx guards of open looks, while former Opal Maley had only two points, her slashing drives to the hoop barely seen.

The final quarter was a procession, the Flyers rubber-stamping Jackson’s desire to head to “basketball heaven”.

Melbourne United down JackJumpers in NBL title series opener

AAP

Chris Goulding and Jo Lual-Acuil jnr starred as Melbourne United drew first blood in the best-of-five NBL Championship Series with a 104-81 thumping of the Tasmania JackJumpers on Sunday.

United’s Chris Goulding (centre), Matthew Dellavedova (left) and Luke Travers during Sunday’s clash with the Jackjumpers at John Cain Arena.Credit: Getty Images

Veteran shooter Goulding nailed 6-of-10 three-point attempts on his way to a game-high 22 points – his best tally in two months – in front of 9108 fans at John Cain Arena.

In-form centre Lual-Acuil got the better of tough opponent Will Magnay in a key battle and posted a double-double, with 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Melbourne were also well served by experienced leader Matthew Dellavedova (11 points, six assists), while Ian Clark posted 18 points off the bench.

Luke Travers had nine points and four blocks, and limited the impact of dangerous JackJumpers opponent Jack McVeigh (13 points, seven rebounds).

Melbourne pushed the ball, scoring 18 fast-break points to none, and won a lop-sided rebound count (52-37) as part of a superb defensive performance.

“We preach connection and our guards were really into it tonight, and our fives were in great positions to help,” United coach Dean Vickerman said.

Matthew Dellavedova drives to the basket under pressure from Jordon Crawford.Credit: Getty Images

“We contested mid-rangers as well ... we made it really tough for them to shoot that one and the biggest thing of the night is just how you rebound against this team. We hit first and we saw the result.”

Anthony Drmic (18 points) and Milton Doyle (16) fought hard in a losing battle for Tasmania. But JackJumpers forward Marcus Lee had trouble with a left shoulder injury after half-time and Fabijan Krslovic damaged his left ankle in the dying seconds.

Import guard Jordon Crawford struggled, finishing with seven points on 3-of-13 shooting and three turnovers.

“They played a little bit harder than us across the board,” Tasmania coach Scott Roth said.

“The three-ball got involved and they shot a hell of a percentage (50) from there, which is always the great equaliser in basketball now.

“It’s one game and we re-group, have a few days off, which will be nice, and then we’ll be back at it.”

Vickerman lit a fuse pre-game and set the tone for an intense battle throughout the first half.

The three-time championship-winning coach took a swipe at his opposite number, referencing the JackJumpers’ catchcry by saying Roth can talk about “defending his little island” as much as he wants while United get on with the job.

Goulding was locked in and found his range with a pair of early triples as his eight points, plus six from Lual-Acuil on perfect shooting, helped Melbourne to a 26-24 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Tempers flared when Magnay put a shoulder into Kyle Bowen and stood over his opponent to have words afterwards, costing him offensive and technical fouls in quick succession.

The teams were level 36-36 midway through the second period before a 12-0 run, featuring a pair of crowd-lifting Lual-Acuil dunks, gave Melbourne a handy 51-41 buffer at the main break.

Goulding’s fourth triple kick-started proceedings in the third term and Magnay soon picked up his third and fourth fouls for infringements on Lual-Acuil.

Sean Macdonald’s attempted triple for Tasmania fell short before Ian Clark landed a three-point dagger on the three-quarter time buzzer, and the margin never dipped below double figures from that point.

The series moves to Hobart’s MyState Bank Arena for game two on Friday night.

Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.