Regional reps picked for National tournament

The boys’ and girls’ teams were selected following the grand finals weekend in mid-March.

offensive plays, difference structure and getting used to playing different positions,” he said.

Each player competing in the ICBL had the opportunity to be selected to represent their region at the NIBT.

BY VELMA GARA

Torres Strait 14s teams are preparing for the second National Indigenous Basketball Tournament to be held at the Gold Coast next Wednesday.

Torres Strait Coordinator Michael Loban said teams have been working on their offence, defence and roles as a player at basketball training before they leave after the Easter break.

“The kids have been working very hard on how to play a high level of basketball, remembering multiple

NBL1 turns over second round drama

weather and slippery floor.

Michael Cedar had 10p, 7r, 2a, 1s for the game.

BY VELMA GARA

Cairns Marlins’ guard

Curt Ah Wang had the hot hand and shot two 3-pointers in their game away against Darwin Salties to give his team the win – 90 to 87 – in Round 2 of the NBL1 North competition.

The Far North Queensland team was down most of the game by 20 points but chipped away in the second half to get back in the game.

Salties were up 87 to 85 when Ah Wang launched a three to put them ahead by one point.

With less than 0.5 seconds remaining, Salties caused a turnover which gave Marlins the possession.

Deba George quickly fouled Travis Drinnan who went to the line and successfully shot two free throws and Marlins won the game.

Dynamic Salties centre, Nate Jawai, played valuable minutes in his first game for the NBL1 North 2023 season, getting on the stats sheet in 13 minutes of game time.

(Jawai – 6p, 5r, 2s | George – 6p, 2a, 2s & Ah Wang – 19p, 2a, 2s)

In the women’s game, Salties got the win against Dolphins – 79 to 64. Cairns guard, Teyahna Bond, had 8 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block.

Townsville’s Heat was on a two game road trip and split that with a win and a loss.

The Heat lost heavily to Mackay Meteors 82 to 64 on Friday night in a game that was played under duress in very hot

Off the court, the teams have been attending dance practices to perform at the national tournament.

“They have dance practice before training and will be performing six dances at the opening ceremony as well as the other regions from all over Australia to perform their cultural dances,” he said.

The regions were Torres Strait, Queensland North, Queensland South, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Northern Territory Metro.

Congratulations to all the players who have been selected to represent the Torres Strait.

Shadow players have also been named in case any of the team players are unable to travel to the Gold Coast.

Mr Loban said he was proud of the players and how they have conducted themselves.

“The way they carry themselves on and off the court, how much they pick up at training and how confident they are,” he said.

Torres Strait 14s Boys

Nathan Seden, Dwayne Darua, Alejandro

Lui, Danzel Mosby, Jared Turner, Samuel Nakata-Binjuda, William Kelly, Walter John Sailor, James Sagigi & Sam Cook. Head Coach – Thomas Loban. Assistant Coach – Rashad Sabatino. Manager – Anthony

Sagigi. Shadows: Trent Seekee, Lamelo Whap, Matatia Warrior, Daniel Ware & Enriavez Akee.

Torres Strait 14s Girls

Natayah-Lee

Bin-Awel, Cataleya Seriat-O’Cloudy,

Weilarni Darua, Selahtian CookSabatino, Dulcie Stephen, Roseanne Warrior, Enid Alice Tom, Winta Livock, Tarnisha Shibasaki & Blanca

Aitken. Head Coach –Shilea Nona. Assistant Coach – Elsie Seriat. Manager – Powanga Savage. Shadows: Ezah Mabo & Makayla Baker-Sailor. TSI Referee – Kailu Luffman.

TSI Coordinator –Michael Loban.

However, the following night Heat regrouped and played hard to get the win.

Townsville was playing well but then in the fourth quarter, they got tired legs and Rockhampton started to get momentum but time wasn’t on their side with the visitors winning the game, 103 to 102.

No stats sheet was available for this game due to NBL1 software crashing on Saturday night.

There will be no games played in NBL1 North over the Easter break.

Other results and performances collated by Torres News of Torres Strait Islander players:

• Alana Fraser of South West Metro (SWM) had 7p, 9r, 7a in a game that she started in against the Red City Roar. Her team won 81 to 68.

• Gold Coast lost to Ipswich Force, 108 to 88. Tidjane Diop came off the bench and scored 8 points.

• Christopher Cedar of SWM had 5p, 4r and 4a in a close game they lost to Red City Road by six points, 91 to 85.

• Northside Wizards had a home and away game. At home they won, 90 to 84 against Logan Thunder. Then played North Gold Coast away and lost, 68 to 83. Deshawn Ross-Paiwan had collectively in the two games played – 23p, 4r, 8a, 2s.