SPORT 13 Local NPA comp ready for tip-off
TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 20 APRIL 2023 LEFT: Mya Moke & Elsie Seriat (Torres Strait Girls Asst Coach). TOP RIGHT: Thomas Loban (Torres Strait Asst Coach), Kailu Luffman (Torres Strait Referee), Naomi Moke (Qld South Girls Coach) & Michael Loban (Torres Strait Coordinator). BOTTOM RIGHT: After the Awards Ceremony. Back – Keenan Williams (Qld North), Mya Moke, Sam McDowell-White (Qld South). Front – Nahla Moke (Qld South). Pics supplied by Naomi Moke.
Thursday 13 APRIL
NPA KITTYHAWK BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PICS BY STANLEY ELU & WENDY PHINEASA
Ref Kailu named to travel to Las Vegas BY VELMA GARA Torres Strait referee Kailu Luffman was at loss for words when it was announced by Junior NBA Coach Carlos Barossa he’d be travelling to the USA to further his officiating skills. Barossa made the special announcement during the awards and medals ceremony last weekend at the National Basketball Indigenous Tournament. Luffman, along with Taimania Jones from West Australia, came forward to receive their Referee Achievement Awards when he surprised everyone with the good news and special reward – they will be both travel to Las Vegas to work with the best referees in the NBA and G League. “It’s been decided this year that it’s not
TORRES STRAIT REFEREE: Kailu Luffman. Pic supplied by Indigenous Basketball Australia. about the players and coaches, it’s also about the referees,” he said. “You are to represent with all the passion you have done so throughout your career.”
Luffman and Jones were two of only five referees who travelled with teams to the tournament at the Gold Coast. He was rewarded for his efforts by officiating the girl’s grand final game. The 18-year-old has been officiating at the Indigenous Community Basketball League on Waiben at the Thursday Island Sports Complex. ICBL Coordinator Mick Loban, who also travelled with the team, said Kailu had been a good choice for them to take and his trip to Las Vegas, “should be awesome”. “He’s very passionate about reffing, at one stage he was passionate about playing basketball, but he told us if he doesn’t make it big in the game of basketball then he’d make it big by reffing, and his dream came true, just like that,” he said.
Patty Mills sends apologies and thanks
ALL STAR FIVE: Back Row, top left – Jay Sebasio (Qld South) with some of her team mates. Pic supplied by Indigenous Basketball Australia. BY VELMA GARA Indigenous Basketball Australia (IBA) founders and directors Patty and Alyssa Mills delivered a special message to players, coaches, coordinators, officials and volunteers before the awards and medals were handed out at the National Indigenous Basketball Tournament last weekend. Firstly they apologised for not attending the National Indigenous Basketball Tournament due to the NBA
playoff between Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers. They thanked everyone for working hard and making the tournament better, and for their dedication into the program, making special mention of Junior NBA coaches Carlos Barossa and Natalia Andre and IBA ambassadors Nate Jawai and Abby Cubillo. “IBA is to create an elite environment for our athletes, just for you, to own your story and keep the culture alive,” Patty said.
FAMILY AFFAIR: Lavinia Taylor, Jay Sebasio (All Star Five) & Aaron Sebasio. Pic by Lavinia Taylor. Patty’s parents, IBA directors Benny and Yvonne Mills, presented the medals for the winners, runners up and third place. Junior NBA Coaches Barossa and Andre had the difficult decision of selecting one boy and one girl to attend a camp/clinic later this year in what promised to be an overseas trip of a lifetime. Coaches Carlos and Natalia said the two players selected were Ava Rioli (WA) and Nate Langmaid (VIC).
Coach Carlos said it was a “most difficult decision” to choose the two players. In closing the NIBT for 2023, Benny Mills acknowledged everyone for their passion and commitment. He also gave a big shout out to Patty and Alyssa. “Brisbane Olympics in 2032 is the goal and keen to see athletes wearing the green and gold,” he said. IBA has another program – the 17s ICBL – to start in the next few months.
Last of the Kittyhawk Basketball Association’s Preseason Week 6 game results were: Tuesday 11 April 2023 • 6.30pm WOMEN’S Game - Unduwa Mari 45 def Kukuwams 24 • 7.30pm MEN’S Bucks 86 def Hawks 35
• 6.30pm MEN’S Game Auto Pilots 62 def Ebuaubau 34 • 7.30pm WOMEN’S Game saw a tie match with Invaders and Kukuwams both on 44points. This week we will commence our local competitions. Draws are as follows:
Tuesday 18 April • 6.30pm WOMEN’S game Kukuwams vs Undawu Mari – Court duties: Space Jam/ Auto Pilots • 7.30pm MEN’S game Bucks vs Ebuaubau – Court duties: Kukuwams/Undawu Mari • 8.30pm MEN’S game Space Jam vs Auto Pilots – Court duties: Bucks/Ebuaubau • BYE: Hawks, Invaders
