TAMWORTH Thunderbolt men and women start their State League seasons at home and abroad tomorrow with the men a chance of showcasing their new US import at the Tamworth Sportsdome.
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While the Chris Tudman-coached Thunderbolt women are off to Newcastle to start their State League, the men are at home to Lismore Storm and with every chance their new US teammate, Jonny Miller, will take to the floor for the 7pm tipoff.
Thunderbolt men’s coach John Ireland was picking his new point guard up in Sydney yesterday.
“Jonny’s flying in,” Ireland said of the newest Thunderbolt.
“Fingers crossed, he’ll be cleared to play in Saturday’s game against the Storm at home.
“We’ve done all the paper work and given it to Basketball Australia.
“All they have to do is rubber -stamp it and he should be right to play.”
The Thunderbolt men were scheduled to play their first game of the new season in Lismore last weekend but Cyclone Marcia dampened those hopes, forcing the game to be postponed in a new season that has been brought forward and which also features crossover games against sides from outside the Northern State League.
The Thunderbolts have been training strongly since last October too, Ireland said.
“We’re well prepared,” he said.
“We started well before Christmas, back in October. We had a bit of time off over Christmas but have been back into it the last six weeks.
“We are going to have a few players away in the next few weeks too.
“Bourkie (Thunderbolt skipper David Bourke) is unavailable next week for the Newcastle game.
“It’s his wedding.
“The week after he’s away on his honeymoon and then the next time we play Newcastle he’s also the best man at his mate’s wedding.
“And young Rhys Chill (Chillingworth) is going to be away for that too.
“It will impact on our playing depth a lot but we do have good depth this year.
“We do have some outstanding young kids from the 18s coming through.
“It’s a very exciting group of players this year.
“It’s going to be good to see what they can achieve.”
Especially with Miller running the point when he is cleared.
He will have his first look at his new home court this morning when he and Ireland help run the North West CHS girls’ and boys’ trials.
Yesterday the NW primary trials were held at the Sportsdome with Jonathon Willis in charge of the boys and Jade Dunlop the girls.
The boys’ trials drew zone teams representing Tamworth, Coonabarabran-Coolah, Armidale, Gunnedah and Quirindi.
They played a round robin from which Willis selected possibles and probables teams for a further game.
After a few drills to start with, the girls did the same.
Dunlop had around 30 to select from, with Armidale, Tamworth, Gunnedah and Quirindi all fielding teams.
