JackJumpers show promise in JMC Pre-season Practice Games

PRESEASON PRACTICE GAME, presented by JMC

Monday 18^th August, Ulverstone Sports & Leisure Centre

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 97 (Richards 21, Johnson 18, Hamilton 12)

SYDNEY KINGS 101 (Maluach 18, Leaulepe 15, Davis 15, Dellavedova 15)

Wednesday 20^th August, Elphin Sports Center Launceston

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 89 (Hamilton 21, Marshall 19, Ayre 11, Richards 11)

SYDNEY KINGS 79 (Davis 25, Noi 15, Leaupepe 14)

The JackJumpers showed promising signs across two games against Sydney Kings in Tasmania’s North West and North this week.

Despite missing key players to national duties and illness, new faces stepped up to lead the side across some physical and challenging encounters against a strong Kings outfit.

The Kings, featuring new star recruits Matthew Dellavedova and Kendric Davis, came away with two wins from the two games.

On Monday in Ulverstone, excited fans packed into Harcourt Stadium for the first official NBL pre-season game with North West local and Assistant Coach Mark Radford taking the reigns as Head Coach for the first practice game.

It was the Kings leading by 6 at the end of the first quarter and then extending that advantage to 58-45 by half-time, before the JackJumpers gelled to the delight of the locals with 32 points to 20 in the third term.

While Tasmania hit the front briefly late in the final term, Sydney held out the home team to take a 4 point win.

David Johnson showed exciting signs as a new import wing with Tasmania with 18 points, seven rebounds and three assists with 6/8 three-point shooting.

Local talent Jacob Richards, who is training with the group, continued his strong NBL1 form, contributing 21 points including some tough finishes and impressive outside shooting.

While  Bryce Hamilton finished with 12 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals despite seven turnovers with Ben Ayre going scoreless fresh off celebrating an NBL1 South championship over the weekend.

The promising showing was soured slightly by a facial injury to veteran Anthony Drmic who copped a stray elbow to the nose in the third quarter which meant he took no further par tin the game. While he was rested on Wednesday night, he is expected to play in the NBL Blitz.

On Wednesday in Launceston, Bryce Hamilton’s agility and athleticism impressed on Wednesday Night’s practice game with the import finishing with 21 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals in the JackJumpers 10 point loss. 

Sydney came out firing with sharp shooting from their key stars. NBL25 league MVP Runner Up Kendric Davis had 15 points in the first half alone and ended the game with 25 points including 3/3 from range along with three steals, two assists and two rebounds.

The JackJumpers squandered some opportunities, showing promising signs but failed to finish in crucial moments under acting Head Coach Jarrad Weeks.

New guard Nick Marshall stood tall in some physical contests and lead the Jackies systems, having 9 points to quarter time.  

Hamilton thrilled the crowd with a deep three just before half time which cut the margin to one as the JackJumpers attempted to keep in touch with the Kings, as Head Coach Brian Goorijan barked orders from the bench.

Fresh from an impressive championship winning season with the Sandringham Sabres, Ben Ayre hit back to back threes in the third to keep the JackJumpers in touch with the Kings who shot 50% from the field.

The King prevailed by 10 points to make it two from two for the trip South. Both teams will continue their NBL26 preparations at the NBL Blitz next week in Canberra.

Thanks to JMC, partner of this year’s pre-season practice games.