Honours shared between JackJumpers-Kings

Taran Armstrong, David Johnson, Ben Gold and Will Johnston all hit massive late three-pointers and as a result the Tasmania JackJumpers and Sydney Kings couldn’t be separated wrapping up their pre-season NBL preparations split at 98-98.

It was the last game of the pre-season for both teams ahead of the start of NBL27 and they did battle at Hutchins School in Hobart which is the regular home of the Hobart Chargers in the NBL1 South.

Neither team was too far off full strength either with the JackJumpers missing Josh Bannan, Ben Ayre and Bryce Hamilton with the Kings still missing reigning Championship Series Kendric Davis although there is good news with his belated arrival to the country ahead of NBL27.

It was an entertaining affair all evening between two teams with high-respected, experienced championship coaches and who rightfully are heading into the new NBL season with high hopes of being contenders once more.

The Kings did appear on track for the win up by nine points with 3:45 to play but then Taran Armstrong drained a pair of three balls for the JackJumpers followed by another to David Johnson and then one more to Ben Gold.

That had the home team in front by three before Johnston responded for the Kings to tie scores up and that's where things remained as time expired.

Goorjian then had no interest in his team playing another five minutes, Roth was happy to go along with that and the honours were shared in their final hit outs ahead of the season proper.

It was 21 points apiece in the opening quarter with Will Magnay making his first appearance of the pre-season for six points for Tasmania while Sydney went to the foul line 14 times with Andrew Carr up to seven points and Matthew Dellavedova six.

The scoring rate picked up in the second frame with Sydney adding 31 points and by half-time they were going 18/22 from the foul line with Dellavedova's 8/8 for 14 points while Torrey Craig was up to 15 points.

The JackJumpers added 28 points too on 8/15 shooting and 10/12 free throws too but it was Sydney on top 52-49 by half-time.

It was 25 points to 24 in the third quarter with Sydney clinging to the 77-73 lead by three quarter-time and then the Kings looked set for the win before the four triples in no time from the JackJumpers and then Will Johnston's three ball to leave scores locked at 98-98.

The JackJumpers did finish up shooting 17/44 from the outside as a team while collecting 15 offensive rebounds and having just five turnovers with Taran Armstrong key to that with 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

David Johnson added 18 point and three assists with 4/9 three-point shooting, Ben Gold 16 points and four rebounds, Majok Deng 12 points and six boards, Dakota Mathias 10 points and two assists, Nick Marshall eight points and six assists, and Will Magnay eight points in 12 minutes.

Sydney ended up going 29/39 at the foul line for the game with Makuach Maluach finishing with 19 points and three rebounds.

Torrey Craig also had 15 points, four rebounds and two assists, Will Johnston 14 points, six boards and six assists, Matthew Dellavedova 14 points, three boards and two assists, Harry Wessels nine points and five rebounds, Andrew Carr eight points and four blocks, and Peitok Machar eight points and seven rebounds.

The Kings will now open their championship defence next Sunday at home to the Cairns Taipans while the JackJumpers host the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Monday night.

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 98 – SYDNEY KINGS 98

Tasmania JackJumpers
Taran Armstrong – 20 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists
David Johnson – 18 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds
Ben Gold – 16 points, 4 rebounds
Majok Deng – 12 points, 6 rebounds
Dakota Mathias – 10 points, 2 assists

Sydney Kings
Makuach Maluach – 19 points, 3 rebounds
Torrey Craig – 15 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
Will Johnston – 14 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists
Matthew Dellavedova – 14 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
Harry Wessels – 9 points, 5 rebounds

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