STAR BACK FOR THE EAGLES IN UPSET WIN
Johnson’s accurate shooting helps Eagles upset Power
EAGLES star guard Joe Johnson received just rewards after “hours and hours” practising his jump shot, as he helped engineer an upset 99-88 win over Palmerston in Round 1 of Darwin Basketball Challenge action on Friday night.
Johnson scored 33 points and was assisted by fellow returning Eagles star Anthony Golden, who finished with 26 points.
Golden is back from playing with East Perth in the WA State Basketball League, and Johnson has been plying his trade for Toowoomba Mountaineers in the QBL.
The Power got to within four points, trailing 61-57 after captain Ben Streeter’s (21 points) three-pointer late in the third quarter.
But Golden replied with a signature trey of his own, and the brilliant spring-loaded shooter finished with seven three-pointers for the night.
Despite the magnitude of their upset victory, Eagles players were level-headed.
“It’s good to see some familiar faces,” said Golden, who only arrived back in the Top End in the week before Friday night’s game, after a one- month break back in the US. “We’ve still got a long way to go. We haven’t trained and our guys were out of shape.”
Johnson absorbed plenty of hits in the paint but made six out of six free throws, while also hitting three three-pointers, including a buzzer-beating dagger before three-quarter time. That gave his team a decisive 80-65 lead at the final break.
“If I can perfect it (shooting), it doesn’t matter how old or slow I am,” Johnson said.
“I’ll always have my jump shot after putting in hours and hours of hard work.”
US import James Silvie also starred with 24 points. “(Silvie) played for us four or five years ago. They (Eagles stars) all love this club so they come back,” coach Donna Hurst said.
Along with Streeter, Willie Shackleford (28 points) collected his usual high number of contested rebounds, and he also stood out for the Power.
Meanwhile, Ansett beat Lightning 89-51, with Austin Hill scoring 28 points.
In women’s Challenge action, reigning champions Tracy Village enjoyed a 61-30 win over Razzle, while Uni beat Eagles 57-39, TJ Sing scoring 20 points for the Rebels.