JackJumpers run out of puff in return
THE JackJumpers have run out of gas in their long-awaited return to the court on Sunday, beaten by visiting South East Melbourne Phoenix by 14 points at MyState Bank Arena.
The Jacks were playing their first game in 22 days after a string of five consecutive postponed games and in the end the long lay-off proved too much with the home side giving up a three point half-time lead on the way to losing 63-76.
While Tasmania fought valiantly for most of the match in the end it was a dour third period that proved costly for the NBL newcomers
who were outscored 32-15 in the period to all but extinguish a grand return to the court.
Despite the loss JackJumpers coach Scott Roth remained upbeat and said his team would continue to work on its deficiencies to get in more winning positions.
“I was proud of the guys tonight,” Roth said.
“I was happy in some ways with our group on how we attacked the game and started the game and fought through some adversity but it’s a process and we just have to continue to keep working. We are going to keep swinging at people and getting after people and hopefully we’ll have some breakout games where
the ball starts going in and things get a little looser and freer for us.”
While the JackJumpers were unable to continue the momentum of their first half it was certainly not due to a lack of effort from star big man Will Magnay, who was a rock in defence for his side.
Time and time again Magnay sent Phoenix shot attempts flying into the stands with the former NBA big continually protecting the paint to bring the home crowd to its feet and show why he’s considered one of the best defensive big men in the country.
Magnay finished the game with 10 points, eight rebounds, five blocks and a steal to put in arguably his best
performance for the JackJumpers.
Skipper Clint Steindl was another key contributor, hitting a number of timely shots to finish with 16 points, while Josh Magette battled hard to finish with nine points, 10 assists and three steals.
For the visitors is was superstar Mitch Creek who did the damage with the powerful forward putting up 19 points while 7ft, 1in centre Zhou Qi was also a big factor with 18 points and nine rebounds.
Despite the long lay-off the Jacks got off to a blistering start with the home side appearing more like a side in mid-season form rather than a team that was playing its first game since nine of its
players contracted Covid less than two weeks ago.
On the back of a raucous home crowd the Jacks fired out of the blocks with an explosion of pent-up energy to take a 14-4 lead after five minutes largely due to their now trademark stifling defence.
But the visitors were able to withstand the sting of the JackJumpers and fought their way back into the contest to only trail 35-38 at the half.
While the home side was full of energy in the first half it appeared the long lay-off caught up with them in the third period with their inability to hit open shots and defend at the other end proving costly.