New Recruits Shine in Tasmania

By Chris Pike for NBL Media

The NBL season is now less than a month away and the Blitz just over a week off, and two NBL23 teams locked horns for the first time this pre-season on Tuesday night.

The Tasmania JackJumpers defeated the South East Melbourne Phoenix 88-83.

While the JackJumpers built up a lead as big as 21 points throughout the evening, the Phoenix weren’t going to go down without a fight, as they let out some pre-season frustrations by hitting the floor against an NBL opponent for the first time.

Coming off being the fairytale story in their maiden season by reaching the Grand Final, the JackJumpers are looking to show that was no fluke as they ramped up their preparations in front of an excitable home crowd at Ulverstone Sport and Leisure Centre.

New imports Rashard Kelly and Milton Doyle made their first appearances for the JackJumpers, as did Walter Brown, Tristan Forsyth and the injury replacement for captain Clint Steindl, Isaac White. 

Meanwhile, Trey Kell, Alan Williams, Gary Browne and Grant Anticevich were unveiled for the Phoenix, while superstar Mitch Creek didn’t suit up once again.

Tasmania opened up the game with a couple of three-pointers from Doyle and Fabijan Krslovic before going on to lead 24-18 by quarter-time. The JackJumpers extended that lead to eight points by half-time.

The JackJumpers then blew the game open during the third quarter leading by 21 points, on the back of White knocking down a three-pointer.

They were still up 17 at the final break, but the Phoenix built some confidence and momentum in the fourth quarter and even closed the gap to just four points on the back of Kyle Adnam knocking down a three-pointer with just under a minute remaining.

However, they couldn’t quite keep it going, with Tasmania holding on for the five-point victory.

Rashard Kelly was especially impressive in his first hitout for the JackJumpers, delivering 20 points and five rebounds on shooting seven of ten from the floor and two of three from downtown.

Fellow new import Milton Doyle added 13 points, four rebounds and four assists. 

Desperate to show he deserves a full NBL contract, Isaac White put up 12 points as well for Tasmania, with Matt Kenyon adding 11 points and six rebounds,

Former Phoenix big man Tristan Forsyth scored nine points and pulled down three boards in six minutes' game-time. 

There were plenty of encouraging signs for the Phoenix and coach Simon Mitchell as well, with Alan Williams delivering 15 points and four rebounds on five of eight shooting, in just 19 minutes.

Trey Kell added 14 points and four assists, with Junior Madut contributing 11 points and four boards and Grant Anticevich impressing with 11 points and eight rebounds.

The two teams will do it all again on Thursday night at Elphin Sports Centre before turning their attention to the NBL Blitz in Darwin starting next Friday.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL PRE-SEASON

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 88 (Kelly 20, Doyle 13, White 12)
SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 83 (Williams 15, Kell 14, Madut 11, Anticevich 11)