NBL Returns to Northern Territory

From the nbl

NBL STARS BOUNCE BACK TO THE TERRITORY

Northern Territory sports fans are set for a feast of top-level basketball after Minister for Sport and Recreation Karl Hampton today announced the return of National Basketball League action for the NBL Top End Challenge 2010.
“Basketball is a hugely popular sport in the Territory and I am excited to announce today that the official 2010 NBL pre-season competition will be held in Alice Springs and Darwin in September,” said Mr Hampton.
“Last year’s tournament was a great success, raising the profile of basketball in the Territory, creating business opportunities, and thrilling crowds with spectacular hoops action.
“Today I can confirm that the NBL’s finest will be returning to the Territory in September to thrill crowds at Marrara Indoor Stadium and the Alice Springs Basketball Stadium for the Top End Challenge.”
Mr Hampton said it is particularly good news for the Centralian basketball community.
“It’s fantastic to be able to bring this event to fans in Alice Springs, who have not seen an NBL game for more than a decade; I am sure they will make the opening game a blockbuster.”
The tournament is expected to feature all nine teams from the expanded NBL competition, including the newly returned Sydney Kings franchise.
“The NBL is rebuilding strongly and we look forward to seeing the return of the mighty Sydney Kings for their first games in the new-look competition,” said Mr Hampton.
NBL legend and Basketball Australia Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock said fans could expect a terrific showcase of the country’s best ballers.
“The Top End Challenge is a unique event on the NBL calendar in that it brings all of our players and coaches together in the one place right before the season tip-off.
“Last year’s event in Darwin was a resounding success and we are delighted to work with the Minister to bring the Top End Challenge back to the Northern Territory in 2010. It will be a fantastic opportunity for Territorians to see world class basketball in their own backyard,” said Mr Sengstock.
As well as playing 12 games, teams will take part in an extensive community engagement program conducting coaching clinics in schools and communities across the Territory, and conducting hospital visits.
“The NT Government is committed to providing elite events for all Territory sports fans and this $200,000 agreement with the NBL cements us as a mainstay of the Australian basketball landscape,” said Mr Hampton.

Hawks win NBL's Darwin venture

The Wolongong Hawks captured the inaugural Top end Challenge last weekend final match report is from : http://nbl.com.au

Hawks win Top End Challenge

September 05, 2009, 10:36 PM AEST

By: Marc Howard

BOXSCORE

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS (2 - 3 mins download time)

The Wollongong Hawks have stunned the National Basketball League by taking out the Top End Challenge pre-season tournament in Darwin with a tough 94-88 win over the more fancied New Zealand Breakers.

The Hawks came into the tournament as rank underdogs, but on the back of yet another great performance from big man Cameron Tragardh held off a fast charging Breakers’ team to finish the tournament undefeated and win the title.

Tragardh scored 23 points and added seven rebounds and was named as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Scintillating Hawks import Tywain McKee added 21 points and was instrumental in closing out the win.

Both McKee and Tragardh were named to the All-Tournament Team, along with New Zealand’s Kirk Penney, Townsville’s Corey Williams and Gold Coast’s James Harvey.

The Hawks used a 28-21 advantage in the third quarter to set-up the win but, despite being 16 points down early in the final period, the Breakers mounted a furious comeback in the closing minutes to close the gap to one with a minute and a half to go.

The Breakers closed to within four, 89-85, on a crafty Penney two in the paint and it was Penney again nailing an open three from the right wing to draw New Zealand within a single point, 89-88, with 1:34 left in the game.

Tragardh earned a pair of free throws on the next trip down the floor and made one-of-two to improve the Hawks’ lead 90-88 with 1:16 left.

Breakers’ import Awvee Storey travelled on the next possession however robbing his team of the chance to tie or take the lead.

A Saville miscue on a pass at the other end led to a turnover, giving New Zealand the ball back with 41.5 seconds left on the clock and the Hawks clinging to a two-point lead, 90-88.

Abercrombie then slipped with 28.5 seconds leading to another travel, giving the Hawks possession once more. Dillon Boucher was subsequently called for a foul on McKee at the mid-court with 21.2 seconds left and McKee drained both to extend his team’s buffer to four points, 92-88.

Corey Webster missed a tough lay-up at the other end and McKee was fouled again with 11.4 on the clock and the Hawks in the bonus. He made no mistake, sinking both and then stole the in-bounds pass and dribbled out the clock.