An ADF player tries to break through some tough US defence during the recent women’s basketball competition at the NT Sports Carnival. Photo by Cpl Ashley Roach, 1JPAU(P) ADF player Pte Kylie Guarino dribbles the ball up the court during the ADF’s game against the USA. Photo by Cpl Ashley Roach, 1JPAU(P)

Aussies fight hard

By Capt Jayne Tauschke
ADF women’s basketball is thriving after the Aussies won a thrilling one-point match against the USA during the recent NT Sports Carnival.

The NT Sport’s Carnival replaced the Arafura Games, which were cancelled at short notice due to the SARS virus, which resulted in many teams, particularly from Asia, not competing.

The ADF played the Northern Territory State Team, an invitational team and a Combined United States College team.

The ADF also accounted for both NT teams, including beating the NT State team twice, the second time in overtime, which produced some exciting basketball.

The Grand Final was between the ADF and the US College Team and was played in front of a large crowd at the new Darwin Basketball venue at Marrara.

It was a fantastic game of basketball all the way until the last couple of minutes when the USA pulled away from the ADF Team to win 89 to 73.

The Men’s team was decimated by late withdrawals and were no match for a slick US outfit with no team member less than 6.4ft or over 22 years old.

The NT team were also too good for the ADF Men and they played the USA in the final going down by some 30 points.

There was great camaraderie between all the teams and high levels of sportsmanship were displayed.

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