Mackay basketball wizard Isaac White stamped himself the ultimate warrior in the NBL1 North competition with another stellar performance last Friday night at Mackay Basketball Stadium.
The champion point guard piloted the Meteors to a thrilling 92-86 victory over the Darwin Salties.
White was at his inspirational best as he posted 34 points, nine rebounds, six assists, two steals and 12/14 at the free throw line to sink the Salties in yet another best on court showing.
It was the Meteors sixth win of the season and avenged last weekend’s loss in Darwin - snapping a four match losing streak that left a relieved coach Joel Khalu with plenty of positives for the championship task ahead.
The gritty Salties – led by former Meteors pin up players Jerron Jamerson and Viliami Foketi – played hard ball from the opening whistle and led 28-22 at quarter time; 51-42 at the half time break and 70-69 at the end of the third quarter.
With trump card White leading the way, the Meteors rallied in the final quarter with centre DJ Baptiste (16 points, 19 rebounds, five assists and four blocks) and talented guards Tyler Williams (15 points, six boards and five steals) and Isaiah Lee (10 points, seven assists and four rebounds) stepping up in supporting roles to clinch a vital win.
Mackay Meteorettes won plenty of admirers after a pulsating 76-75 loss to undefeated competition leaders Darwin in the early game.
The young Mackay outfit came very close to causing a boilover with gifted guard Davida Dale’s last-gasp throw brushing the basket in a pulsating finish.
Mackay stunned the visitors by establishing a 28-21 lead at quarter time and trailed 38-37 at the main break and 60-50 moving into the final quarter.
Promising forwards Brittany Reeves (22 points and ten rebounds) and Denesha Bobongie (17 points, four rebounds and two steals) spearheaded the Mackay challenge with support from rising centre Charli Bliss (10 points and six boards) and the dynamic Dale (10 points, ten rebounds, seven assists, five steals and two blocks).
Photo credit: Kieron Place Art & Photography
