BASKETBALL
CBL GIPPSLAND
by SAMUEL DARROCH
DYNAMIC T-Bird Jack White led a Traralgon team of under 19s to a comprehensive 40-point victory over Western Port Steelers in Country Basketball League Gippsland action at the weekend.
White ran rampant with 37 points and a string of assists to bring his total tally to 131 from five games to date, drawing praise from coach Tim Sexton for his influence on and off court this season.
“Being part of the Australian team certainly helped him and he’s taken his game to another level, which has helped everyone along the way,” Sexton said.
“He’s an extremely talented player who can play inside or out, he’s racking up those points without being selfish or being detrimental to the team.
“Someone with his skill and talent makes it look fairly effortless sometimes.”
The T-Birds have already notched three wins this season, two more than last year, and have been carried by a young base.
White, along with the likes of Frazar Brouns and Ben Barlow, have stepped up in the wake of senior player departures.
Their maturity was evident on Sunday at the Somerville Recreation Centre, where Traralgon won all four quarters to post a huge victory.
“It was probably our best four-quarter performance for the season,” Sexton said.
“In defence we shut them down pretty well and offensively we were pretty good, so very happy with how the season is coming together.”
The win moved the T-Birds into fifth place on the ladder, but everyone is chasing Churchill.
The Blue Devils are top of the table with four wins from as many matches and defeated the Steelers on Saturday 91 to 68.
Jesse Bowe (24) and Jordan Canovan (22) proved too much for Western Port to handle.
Moe Meteors dropped their match with Sale 102 to 70.
In the women’s draw Churchill and Traralgon recorded wins while Moe fell to Maffra.
Blue Devils captain Tanarly Hood continued her good run with 25 points against Western Port.
