The youth-tinged excitement factor, which helped propel the Thunderbolts to a 79-55 win over the previously undefeated Hills Hornets at a packed Dome, is embodied by Brock McMahon.
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The 17-year-old guard, a Bolts junior in his debut Waratah League season, was a kinetic standout in the home side's best performance of the season.
It was a dynamic Tamworth showing. They reversed an 11-point road loss to the Hornets in round four (their only loss of 2019), leapfrogged the Hornets into top spot on the ladder and no doubt boosted their confidence even further.
In their 50th anniversary year, that elusive first title must seem more obtainable than ever.
McMahon, who scored eight points on Monday, certainly believes that Tamworth can go all the way.
Buzzing post-match, he said: "It's a real good downhill run now to the finals, so we're looking good ... I reckon we've got one of the best coaches in the State League [John Ireland] and the best bunch of guys as well. So we can definitely do it [win the championship]."
McMahon said that Saturday's performance was "definitely" the Bolts' best win of the season.
"It means a lot to us," he said, adding: "It was a great game ... We made a point at the start that we'd come out and play some really hard D and get the job done, and we certainly did that tonight."
McMahon grew up in Tamworth watching the Thunderbolts. He surely dreamed of nights like Saturday, when he would be instrumental in the side winning a big match.
He remembers as a young child watching Tamworth veterans Chris Skilton and David Bourke play.
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"We've got a lot of old blokes who come in and give us a lot of energy ... and a good family atmosphere. It's really great," he said.
"It's really great to grow up and play with such a great bunch of guys," the well-spoken teen added.
Skilton and point guard Quayshun Hawkins top-scored for the Bolts on Saturday, with 17 points.
McMahon returned to Tamworth after finishing year 11 at The Southport School on the Gold Coast, and hopes to land an apprenticeship.
He seems as comfortable in Bolts colours as his own skin. "I've known John [Ireland] ... pretty much my whole life as far as basketball goes. So it's really good to finally be able to play underneath somebody like that."
