Round 1 Match Reports
Tournament gets off to a flying start
The inaugural Lane Cove Cockatoos Invitational Tournament tipped off on Tuesday night, marking an important step in creating more opportunities for wheelchair basketball players to compete and develop.
Five teams are taking part, giving players the chance to test themselves against different opponents. It's also a chance for some to play their first competitive game, while others are getting back on court after thinking their playing days were over.
Cockatoos Green open with a win and a special family moment
Cockatoos Green made an impressive start, defeating Central Coast Waves 35-18, and possibly being the team to beat. The Waves were without a couple of their key big men which left them short of some valuable size and presence on court, and the local side made the most of that opportunity.
Ahmad El Haj Youssef and George Lund led the Cockatoos with 10 points apiece, while promising junior Nate Simon added eight. Despite the final margin, the contest was more evenly matched than the score suggests, with Cockatoos Green simply being more accurate when it mattered most.
But the day's most memorable moment came when Nate and his father, Jon Simon, took to the court together for the first time. Jon had thought his days of competitive basketball were well behind him. This tournament gave him the chance to return to the game he loved, sharing the court with his son in a moment neither will forget.
The Waves also had a father-son combination on court, with Chris Walsh and his young boy Lachie playing together. Chris was really pleased to be able to share the court with Lachie, something he said few other sports allow them to do on equal terms.
After siren free throw seals a thrilling draw
The second game delivered pure sporting drama. Cockatoos Women and Sydney Uni Lions played out a gripping 25-all draw in a see-sawing contest where neither side led by more than four points.
Tani Volmer showed the way for the Cockatoos with 14 points, doing serious damage inside the key after some superb assists from Louise Hewson and Kylie Gauci. Four-time Paralympian Kylie added 7 points, with her pace and fast-break skills causing plenty of problems. For the Lions, fellow Paralympian Hannah Dodd top-scored with 15, finding her range from outside the key, while Lee Drewe contributed 6.
The match came down to a nervous final moment. With the clock expiring, Hannah took a 2-point shot and was fouled just as the final siren sounded. Referee Jacqui Damrow awarded her 2 shots, having assessed that the ball left Hannah's hands before the clock ran out. Trailing by one, she stepped to the free-throw line. Her first shot rimmed out, leaving everything riding on the second attempt. With the pressure on, Hannah swished the shot to level the scores and cap a wonderfully entertaining contest. With games like this, the tournament will be a must-watch for fans of the sport.
Special shoutout to Hannah Dodd and her mum Phyllis as they got to play in the same team together for the first time!
For Cockatoos regulars Erin Christie and Emma Jalalaty, it was also their first competitive game. Erin summed up the experience simply: “I had so much fun playing last night!”
Up next
Cockatoos Green face Cockatoos Women on Tuesday 27 October at 5:35 pm in an intriguing local derby.
Then Sydney Uni Lions versus Manly Wheel Eagles at 6:35 pm.
Central Coast Waves have the bye.