Injured Norton vows to keep Games dream alive

TOWNSVILLE product Mitch Norton has vowed not to let a badly broken thumb derail his Commonwealth Games hopes, revealing his Boomers debut in the Asian Cup had “lit the fire” to wear the green and gold again.

The Illawarra Hawks point guard faces around six weeks on the sidelines after suffering the injury in Monday’s loss at Melbourne.

The 24- year- old played a key role in Australia’s victorious Asia Cup campaign at Lebanon in August, but was omitted from the team for their recent FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifying clashes. But Norton still hopes to return to the NBL in time to push his claim for selection in April’s Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

“It was a pretty cool experience in Lebanon, the first time you pull on a Boomers jersey is always special,” Norton said.

“All the feedback from the coaches was I did well over there, they just wanted to try out a few different people ( for the World Cup qualifiers).

“Initially I was a little bit disappointed but it’s not the end of the world, it just lit my fire in the belly to work towards getting back there.

“I think it definitely is, it would be awesome to play in the Commonwealth Games and it’s a bit of a process just to get back into the NBL right now.

“Hopefully I can get back and find some form, and try and get a spot in that team.

“It would be awesome to play in the Commonwealth Games and it’s a bit of a process just to get back into the NBL right now.

“Hopefully I can get back and find some form.”

Norton is hopeful he will return to court sooner than expected as the Hawks ( 5- 7) face a crucial period in their season. After a gruelling road stretch in the first half of the campaign, Illawarra can make a charge toward finals with seven straight home matches.

“I could feel it pop and I pushed it and when it popped back in, I knew it wasn’t good,” he said.

“It’s a pretty important home stretch coming up and it would have been nice to play in front of a home crowd, I’ve only done it twice so far this year.

“A 5- 7 record isn’t too bad considering, we’re looking forward to this home stretch to hopefully get some momentum.”