After 700 games, Rebels’ lucky Hamill still as happy as ‘Larry’

MILESTONE games don’t always go to plan, but Jamie Hamill’s 700th Darwin League Men contest for Uni Rebels certainly could have been scripted.

The 42-year-old, known by almost everyone as “Larry” for his obsession with Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird, nailed the first and last shots of the match – both triples, of course.

There was another trey in between, 11 points in total, and the Rebels continued their charge in knocking Eagles out of top spot.

Career threepointers are not kept in Darwin Basketball Association statistics, but it is almost beyond debate that sharpshooting Hamill ( pictured) has that record in his keeping.

“It’s pretty amazing I’ve come this far,” Hamill said.

“I’ve been lucky with injuries – I’ve only ever had twisted ankles and no major ones – and I don’t drink or smoke, so that helps.

“And I’ve had a bit of luck, too.

“I still think I can compete at a high level and that’s why I’m still playing.”

Hamill, an aircraft engineer, has won eight titles with the Rebels and believes the current roster can deliver him a ninth after they lost last year’s Championship season decider to Palmerston.

“That hurt, because when Marcus (Ch’ng) went down that really set us back,” he said.

“He’s such a big part of it and we’ve seen since he’s back we’ve been on a run.

“My role’s just to come off the bench, hit a couple of shots, keep the energy level up and use my experience to help the younger guys.”

Hamill has played for so long he competes alongside two players, Jake Kirby and Lance Schmidt, he coached in under-12s and even outlasted his younger brother Simon.

Simon, 41, played 563 League Men matches and has a competition most-valuable player award to his name.

“He was a bit of an inspiration for me,” Hamill said of Simon.

“He’s younger, but a lot more talented than me. (But) his ankles and knees are gone.”

Hamill’s next games target won’t be a round number, but will certainly be memorable if he gets there.

Alex Hamriding’s leagueleading tally is 743, which Hamill could pass by the end of next year at his current pace.

“(That record) just got mentioned to me the other day, and I’m not that far away from it, so it’s something to look towards,” Hamill said.

“I think I can make it. I reckon I’ve got at least another two years in me.”