Norton’s just wild about the west
TOWNSVILLE’S Mitch Norton credits the calibre of talent at the Perth Wildcats for his decision to sign a three- year deal with the NBL powerhouse.
The Wildcats confirmed yesterday Norton would make the move west following two seasons as the starting point guard for the Illawarra Hawks.
Despite being just 25 years of age, Norton already has 166 games of NBL experience under his belt, beginning his career with the Townsville Crocodiles in 2011 as a development player.
Norton was a part of the gold medal- winning Australian Boomers team at the recent Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and he believed the Wildcats would play a similar style.
“It’s the group of guys there. Damian Martin has been the best defensive player for what seems like the last decade, so to go up against him at training every day is only going to help me offensively. I’ve always wanted to spend a couple of seasons of my career playing with him,” Norton said.
“In the Commonwealth Games, I really enjoyed having another guy out there getting after the ball in the same way that I do. It should be pretty scary for other teams.
“My style of game is to be aggressive defensively, and offensively I like to attack the basket and to create, which is something I think I’ll be able to do really well in Perth.”
Coach Trevor Gleeson, a former coach of the Crocodiles, said Norton brings elements of both youth and toughness to the Wildcats roster.
Norton joined the Crocodiles just before Gleeson left, with Norton first joining the Crocs for the 20111/ 12 NBL season, the season Gleeson shifted to take up his coaching role with the Melbourne Tigers.
“When he plays, he’s always one of the hardest guys out there playing. He doesn’t take a possession off, he puts his nose down and gets after it. He has those characteristics that you just can’t teach,” Gleeson said.
“He and Damian Martin playing together are going to cause headaches for opposition guards with full court pressure.
“But he’s also turning two- way player.
“He’s a great defender but he can score. He has the ability to get to the rim and be aggressive, and that’s what we want him to do.
“We’re looking forward to developing his game.
“Mitch is going to be a big part of our program moving forward.” into a