From where I sat the South Dragons enjoyed the finest win of their short NBL history with a strong performance against one of the leagues benchmark teams in the form of the Melbourne Tigers. I was thrilled to watch on, with over nine thousand basketball fans, as two hungry teams slugged it out for three and a half quarters before the better team on the night claimed an advantage that stuck strong. In fact I believe that the quality of play from both sides was exceptionally tough with players such as Franklin of the Dragons and Tucker for the Tigers simply impressive in and around the hoop and they weren’t half the story.

The Tigers Chris Anstey had some big points and bigger blocks; the Dragons Ellis was hard-hitting down low but there were a couple of ‘other’ stories on the night. One was very obvious, the other rather subtle. Both proved to be the difference in the end. Joe Ingles has talent which is obvious to all who have watched him play whether it be live or via telecast. Joe is also ‘green’ as described by the Dragons muscle bound forward come centre Rosell Ellis post game as he addressed the members. Joe has however one little trick up his sleeve that became quite obvious to all who watched on closely as he dismantled the Tigers with a array of bombs from outside and moves to the hoop; Joe has competitive spunk. The kind of spunk that begins with rookie (cheeky) grins and ends with a veterans steely resolve. If Joe Ingles wants to make ‘it’, whatever ‘it’ may be, he will.

As I mentioned spotting Joe Ingles and his game is or was easy, Jacob Holmes on the other hand and his enormous contribution may have caught most off guard. Week in and week out Jacob does everything that is asked of him both on and off the court. Against the Melbourne Tigers he did just a little bit more. The stats sheet will record sixteen rebounds, yes that’s right sixteen, next to Jacob Holmes name but it won’t record the courage/self belief that it took to fire up a three point dagger after struggling from behind the arc over the course of the game. Catching the ball in the corner with the clock winding down and the game in the balance Holmes didn’t hesitate prior to releasing a sweet shot that virtually crushed the Tigers spirits. To Jacob Holmes my hat is off as it is to a great team in the Melbourne Tigers who will, despite the Dragons win, continue to be the team to beat. I believe our next home game is against the Wildcats on the 30th of December-I hope to look upon another grand South Dragons performance. In the meantime I will savor this one.