SLAM DUNKED
Volume 11, No. 48, July 27, 2006
By Barry Rollings

Globetrotters: ADFBA players LCpl Lucas Tanis and Bdr Graeme Jones, front, guard an apponent during a game in the ADF’s inaugural basketball tour of Singapore.

SCOREBOARD Men: Game 1: ADF 81–Singapore 74 Game 2: ADF 53–Singapore 46 Game 3: ADF 93–Singapore 74 Game 4: ADF 85–Singapore 65 Game 5: ADF 70–Singapore 47 Women: Game 1: Singapore 54–ADF 53 Game 2: ADF 68–Singparore 50 Game 3: ADF 51–Singapore 38 Game 4: ADF 80–Singapore 78 Game 5: Singapore 65–ADF 54

KEY Army players stood out as the inaugural tour of Singapore by the ADF men’s and women’s basketball teams from July 1 to 10 proved a resounding success.
The men won all five of their games and the women won three of five.

Pte Kelly Nelson was the high scorer for the women’s team, with centre and captain Bdr Graeme Jones and small forward LCpl Aaron Marsh the standout players for the men.

The visit resulted from both the ADF teams and Singapore’s involvement in the Arafura Games in Darwin, which led to the invitation.

A party of 31 including players, coaches and support staff made the trip. Games were played at the East Greyling headquarters for the Basketball Association of Singapore.

The men, captained by Bdr Matty Jones, were too strong for the smaller Singapore national side, muscling their way to five straight victories.

The ADF women played four against the national team and one against the national junior women’s team.

Although the Singaporean sides were speedier, the ADF dominated the competition with their height. The women, in particular, captained by Flg-Off Fiona Harris, had a distinct height advantage against the Singapore national team.

“It was a fantastic tour,” men’s coach Woff Michael Kearney said.

“The players were very professional on a very well organised tour which enhanced the ADF image in Singapore.

“The games were very physical and fast and of a high standard.

“The young players in the men’s side learnt how to play at the higher level, using a different skills set.

“They developed and worked on those over the five games. It was their attitude on and off the court which made the difference.”

WOFF Kearney said the standout players for the men were centre and captain Bdr Graeme Jones and small forward LCpl Aaron Marsh.

Women’s coach Flt-Sgt Brian Lawrie was very happy with results achieved on tour.

“Overall the ADFA women’s program is in a very healthy state for future development and progression in further international meets and the Arafura Games,” Flt-Sgt Lawrie said.

“The key player over the five games was our exceptional high scorer Pte Kelly Nelson. Others to show out were Flg-Off Fiona Harris who used her height well and was good on the rebound in defence; ACW Karen Herbert who handled the ball very well and provided good distribution to players, and the very athletic Capt Deeann Jackson, who cut hard to the basket.”