All Stars to build on WIBC experience

THE Australian Indigenous Basketball All Stars have finished 11th at the 2017 World Indigenous Basketball Challenge (WIBC) held in Vancouver, Canada.

The All Stars featured several Far North Queensland players and were coached by former Cairns Marlins guard Joel Kahlu. Fellow former Marlins Deba George and Curt Ahwang were standouts for the All Stars with George’s trademark dunks and athleticism a highlight of the tournament.

Khalu said the team had gained plenty from their first trip to the WIBC.

“We didn’t really know what to expect, having never attended this event, but now that it’s all done, I think we can be a legitimate championship contender in the future,” Khalu said.

The All Stars will play the New Zealand Maori Men’s National Team in a three-game series to be held in Cairns this December.

■ TULLY young gun Jake Clifford had a field day for the Cowboys under-20s on Saturday, scoring two tries in his side’s 40-16 win.

The halfback steered his side into the top four on the back of a strong kicking game.

Edmonton junior Enari Tuala also scored a try in the win. AUSTRALIA’S Matt Wilkinson has lost the World Surf Tour lead after being knocked out in the fifth round of the Billabong Pro in Tahiti.

Wilkinson lost to resurgent Brazilian Wiggolly Dantas, who threw down early scores of 8.17 and 7.33 to put Wilkinson under the pump.

Wilkinson couldn’t quite match the tube rides and carves of Dontas before the swell disappeared in the final 10 minutes of the heat.

Wilkinson joined fellow Aussie Connor O’Leary in exiting in the fifth round. O’Leary earlier lost to Brazil’s Gabriel Medina, who will now face another Australian, Owen Wright, in the quarter-finals.

The yellow rashie could go to John John Florence or South Africa’s Jordy Smith.