Category: Basketball Features

Binar (WA) and Darwin Rebels (NT) celebrate together after their 14 & under girls’ game. Picture: Adam McKay

Like all sporting competitions there were winners and there were losers, however not one of the sixty attending teams from across the country left disappointed. The celebration of culture through sport brought amazing basketball talent on-court, combined with proud community support off-court. Festivities commenced with an Opening Ceremony in front of 1200-plus spectators. On the same night, fans were also treated to 3-point shootout competitions and a slam dunk contest. Cairns local Indiah Bowyer took out the women’s shootout, while Fred Williams from the Darwin Razzle Storm collected the men’s crown. Alex Duke from Binar captivated the huge crowd with his aerial acrobatics enroute to winning the slam dunk title. 149 games were played across five days, with teams battling for grand final spots in the 14 & under, 17 & under and senior divisions. Kayin Bau from the Torres Strait Islands were too good in the 14 & under girls’ decider, defeating Binar from Western Australia, 44-31. Monique Bobongie from Kayin Bau top scored with 15 grand final points, the 13-year old also earning tournament MVP honours following a week of stellar performances.

A huge community gathered for the opening ceremony of the tournament

On the back of some relentless defence, the Binar 14 & under boys were dominant in their grand final, defeating the Garbutt Magpies (QLD), 57-36. Binar cousins Malachi and Cumoram Desmond combining for 25-points, the latter securing tournament MVP honours. The Darwin Rebels from Northern Territory were far too good for Binar, 52-35 in the 17 & under girls final. Tiayana Sing lead the way for the Rebels with 20-points, including four, long-range trifectas. Sing’s Rebels teammate Molly Althouse taking home tournament MVP silverware. A 21-point outburst from MVP Ronan Coppin led Binar to the 17 & under boy’s national title. The Western Australian’s defeated the NQ Phoenix Blaze, 64-50. Ezekial Corowa was the best for the Blaze finishing with 19.

It was a deadly contest between the Townsville Bouncers and Mulungu Mareeba U14B

In the Senior women’s division, the Darwin Rebels proved too good for the NQ Phoenix Fire, 57-47. Adelaide Lightning WNBL development player Jasmin Fejo dropping 21-points for the Rebels in a polished performance. Rebels shooting guard Ambah Kowcun was named MVP of the division, averaging 16 points per game across 8 games. In the marquee men’s division matchup Erub United capped off an undefeated week taking down the Cairns Black Marlins, 55-47. Erub United forward Chris Cedar winning MVP honours after dropping a game-high 17-points.

Wundarra Thomas in action for the Southern Lightning

AIB Chief Executive Officer and Tournament Director Joel Khalu spoke of the success of the tournament. “Our organizing committee were blown away with how well everything went,” Khalu said. “All of the participating teams were fantastic, both on and off the court. The vibe throughout the venue was positive all week.” “We had lots of nail-biting finishes and the crowd support across all the matches created an unreal atmosphere for the players, particularly for our junior teams.” “There’s a few things our committee will look to change for future AIB tournaments but overall, for a first time, we’re absolutely thrilled.” “Based on the outcomes achieved, we have no doubt it will continue to grow and be bigger again in 2020.”

Elijah Hastie in action for the Townsville Bouncers

The Australian Indigenous Basketball National Tournament was proudly supported by the Queensland Government and Cairns Regional Council.

Australian Indigenous Basketball (AIB) is a non-profit incorporated association, operating as the recognised body for Indigenous Basketball in Australia and is responsible for the delivery of key strategic priorities.

Our friends can keep up to date with all AustralianIndigenousBasketball events by following their Website, Facebook and Instagram.

 

Sixty Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teams from across the country will meet in Cairns this month, when the inaugural Australian Indigenous Basketball (AIB) National Tournament gets underway. Female and male teams will compete over five-days for national supremacy across under 14, under 17 and senior age divisions. The 2019 event begins with an opening ceremony on Sunday, December 15. That evening to be highlighted further by multiple three-point shootout competitions and a slam dunk contest. Pool games in all divisions tip-off on Monday, December 16. Finals will be held on Friday, December 20.

All matches will be played on the hardwood courts at the Cairns Basketball Early Settler Stadium. AIB Chief Executive Officer and Tournament Director Joel Khalu told the CrossOverDribble and And The Foul.Net he was thrilled to announce the high number of team registrations.

“To have sixty teams nominate from all over Australia, certainly reinforces the want and the need of this tournament,” Khalu said. “Initially our AIB board were aiming to have forty registrations, but to reach sixty, we’re absolutely ecstatic. We’ve got players from all corners set for the journey to Cairns. For many junior players who’ll be participating from remote communities, it will be their first opportunity to play basketball in an indoor stadium. That’s what this event is all about, creating an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players of both genders, in a range of ages, to participate in our wonderful sport and showcase their skills. Our AIB national tournament is an initiative designed to supplement competitions offered by local associations, state organisations and the national body to get more people active and increase the involvement with basketball.”

Khalu also said the tournament will form part of selections for 2020 AIB national representative squads. “This is the first time AIB will have the chance to see Indigenous players from all over compete against each other, so it serves as a useful platform to carry out identification for our national programs. Everybody at AIB are really excited to see the high levels of talent that will be on display.”

The Australian Indigenous Basketball National Tournament is proudly supported by the Queensland Government and Cairns Regional Council.

ABOUT AUSTRALIAN INDIGENOUS BASKETBALL:
Australian Indigenous Basketball (AIB) is a non-profit incorporated association, operating as the recognised body for Indigenous Basketball in Australia and is responsible for the delivery of key strategic priorities. Our friends in the media can keep up to date with all @AustralianIndigenousBasketball events by following our Website, Facebook and Instagram.