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| Sat 28-Mov (8pm) exhibition game v Port Pirie Panthers at the Donaldson Basketball Stadium, Mon 30-Mov (8.30pm) prelim final Arndale Allstars v Seaton Spartans, Mon 7-Dec (9pm) grand final Somerton Thunder v tba, Sat 19-Dec (2pm) Christmas concert at Gateway Community Church Reynella. |
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Welcome to the home of the
Somerton Thunder, Movember and Jultopia
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Established in 1992 as the ACH Gungadins, the Somerton Thunder represent Holdfast Baptist and play in the Salvation Army Basketball Assoc (SA) at the Distinctive Homes Dome and the SA Church Basketball Assoc at Mars Stadium, and are affiliated with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. See the headlines for more history. Photos used with permission. If you object to any material on this website, email us at thunder2009@optusnet.com.au (new address). Many characters and events on this website - even those based on real people - are fictional. Many player quotes are impersonated ..... poorly. The following website may contain offensive material and due to its content it should not be viewed by anyone.
Thunder to use match to highlight Movember and raise funds for depression & prostate cancer research
November 27, 2009
Story coming soon.
Once were Warriors - James Smith and Lyall Gillett
November 26, 2009
Our bothan spies have delivered again. Keen interweb fans, they've been scouring the world wide interweb and came across two interesting stories. Firstly, Port Pirie's Nelson Magor is unavailable for the upcoming Saturday game as he's off to the United States to tour high school teams as part of the South Australian Country Development Network Squad Program (click here for more details). Sadly, the bothans tell us he did an ankle in the last 15 seconds of the game and may be unable to play while on the trip. Whilst we don't know him, we wish him well.
Secondly, they came across a gem of a picture collection when they noticed Thunder Coach James Smith and Port Pirie forward Lyall Gillett playing together in 2005 in an exhibition game between the Woodville Warriors and Malaysia's national team. Smith is number 42 whilst Gillett is number 6. Click on the picture to see a larger version. We asked Smith for his views on the Panthers' forward but his reply was fairly straightforward and to the point. "If you think I'm going to say anything to you, so you can twist it and make something out of it that doesn't exist, and use it to fire up the Port Pirie players unnecessarily, you can think again. I played one game alongside Lyall. Seemed like a nice bloke. Went hard to the basket. We won, Malaysia lost. Good times. Sorry, but that's it. Now leave me alone and stop making things up!"
Granted he's right about us making things up most of the time but still, it's interesting that the two teams are linked in such a way. Add to this the fact that guard Ray Wickstein and forward Andrew Zajer have played against Port Pirie in numerous country carnivals over the years, and you can see that the game could already have a little extra spice on the table. Only a few days to go and for us ..... we're excited. Back soon.
Latest Sat'dy forecast for Port Pirie - Light rain early. Arvo clouds. Mild. 21 km/h winds from WSW. 1mm rain. 65% humidity. 14 min, 20 max.
Port Pirie Panthers defeat Prince Alfred Old Collegians by six points
November 25, 2009
Looking like two of the baddest gangsters going around, our bothan spies (pictured above) ventured to the Donaldson Stadium on the weekend to see the Prince Alfred Old Collegians play the Port Pirie Panthers. Their black tie disguises apparently worked - the locals didn't recognise them as Jonty and Daniel Smith, two of the Thunder Academy's most promising basketball prodigies - and they managed to pull apart the Panthers' game plan and whilst they retained their biggest secrets for Thunder Coach James Smith, they were willing to share the following:
"Port Pirie won by 6. They were up by 17 in the second quarter but Prince Alfred regained their composure and slowly wore them down, falling just short. Port Pirie's long-range bombs were off - only two triples all game - but they hit a lot of mid-range jumpers and were strong on the O boards. Prince Alfred's zone worked well, but they badly missed 2009 MVP Nic Blair, though his absence was covered by some dude from the Eastern Mavericks we didn't know and even worse, he didn't say hello to us despite our dapper appearance. Pirie had a lot of backcourt steals which should keep Wicky and the Halmanator (sounds like a great name for a TV series) busy but they're up to it. Fierce game - competitive and tough but in good spirit - and we can't wait for the Thunder's match this coming Saturday night, assuming we manage to stay awake."
So given that result, how did the Thunder go v PAOC? In their five matchups this past SACBA season, PAOC had a 4-1 record as follows:
- Prince Alfred A 47 d Somerton 35 (Penn 8, Galway 8, Hill 7)
- Prince Alfred A 70 d Somerton 40 (Galway 17, Penn 11, Gondolf 6)
- Prince Alfred B 44 d Somerton 37 (J.Smith 11, Penn 8, Halman 6)
- Prince Alfred A 53 d Somerton 40 (Galway 10, Halman 10, McKinnon 8)
- Somerton 52 (J.Smith 15, McKinnon 12, Galway 9) d Prince Alfred B 47 (preliminary final)
It's worth noting the Thunder team to play Port Pirie has six players from the SACBA team (Gondolf, Halman, Kyriazis, McKinnon, Penn and J.Smith), with five players from their SABASA brethren (Anderson, Sleep, B.Smith, Wickstein and Zajer). So we're guessing the big question is what difference do the five new players make? Given three of them played in the 2001-2004 SACBA seasons with Somerton when they won four-straight SACBA A Grade titles, you'd think the answer is "plenty". Add Mr Clutch and Mr 720 to the picture and we're with our bothan spies - we can't wait for the game. Finally before we go, we heard the bothan spies will be in uniform for the game. Mmmm. Back soon, folks.
Latest Saturday weather forecast for Port Pirie - Mostly Sunny. Mild. 29 km/h winds from WSW. 42% humidity. 16 minimum, 24 maximum.
Thunder through to grand final
November 24, 2009
Despite fierce opposition from a fired up opponent, the Thunder last night won through to the 2009 Second Season SABASA grand final, courtesy of a 58-46 semi-final win. The game began in a flurry as the Thunder ran out to a 9-2 lead but the Allstars are a team built on resilience and character and they stuck at the task, the margin back to 2 points at halftime. The Thunder were hitting baskets but no one player was taking control of the match. This continued into the second half though best-on-ground Nick Kyriazis did his best to take the game by the thruff of the scrote, controlling the boards and running the fastbreak like only Magic Johnson before him. The final margin is a little misleading, with Allstar Craig Merrett (pictured above) fouled out with 10 minutes remaining, leaving Arndale minus arguably their best player. Arndale live on to fight another day, taking on the Seaton Ramblers Spartans in next week's preliminary final. Seaton surprised the ACH Flamingos and based on this week's comfortable win over the pink brigade, will give Arndale a tough contest. The Thunder meanwhile, have a week off and after their upcoming exhibition game against Port Pirie, we're fairly confident in saying they'll enjoy the break. Back soon, folks.
Latest Saturday weather forecast for Port Pirie - Mostly Sunny. Warm. 25 km/h winds from WSW. 35% humidity. 15 minimum, 26 maximum.
Somerton Thunder v Arndale Allstars - semi-final preview
November 23, 2009
Tonight's semi-final sees the SABASA's two best teams go head to head in a contest for a grand final berth. With all due respect to the other ten teams in the combined A/B Grade Men competition this season, no-one has really troubled either of these sides and they deserve the chance to knock the living stuffing out of each other tonight and go one step closer to the John Pilley trophy. With a dozen players having represented the SABASA in Jultopia carnivals and ten players in the all-time Top Thirty list of career A Grade games played, these guys are no strangers to each other and those friendships will be put on the line tonight in what should be a ripsnorter of a contest.
For the Thunder, the key will be putting aside Port Pirie preparations and focussing on tonight's match alone. An unwanted distraction, the last thing they need is to be fixed on the weekend's exhibition match, take their eyes off the road, and crash head-first into an Arndale stobie pole. Arndale meanwhile, need to take it up to the Thunder and play their own game. At their best, both teams can take home the bacon and onion chips but for us, with a 14-Coke Zero record so far this season, the Thunder start favourites. We're tipping the Thunder by 8 points in a game worthy of the unique 9.35pm timeslot on Cal McKinnon Court. Be there or be at home relaxing after watching Flash Forward which coincidentally, we think is turning into another "Lost", and that's not a good thing. Get to the game early as a big crowd is expected.
In focus - the Thunder frontcourt
November 22, 2009
Continuing with our weekend focus on the Thunder's team to take on the Port Pirie Panthers next Saturday, we now look at the frontcourt.
6. BRAD SMITH
612 games, 86 threes, 574/1232 FT @ 46.6%, 1056 PF @ 1.7 fpg, 5020 pts @ 8.2 ppg. 25 SABASA, 5 SACBA and 6 Jultopia premierships. Thunder debut 1991, Jultopia A Grade debut 1996. Captain. 6-time SABASA club best & fairest. Versatile utility and lockdown defender, can play any position on the court. Most capped player in SABASA history. Breathtaking in the open court. Will start the game at small forward.
7. NICK KYRIAZIS
481 games, 250 threes, 267/510 FT @ 52.4%, 1027 PF @ 2.1 fpg, 2501 pts @ 5.2 ppg. 15 SABASA, 6 SACBA and 6 Jultopia premierships. Thunder debut 1996, Jultopia A Grade debut 1996. Vice-Captain. Talented point guard who also plays two-guard and small forward. Holds SABASA record for career assists. Licensed to thrill with some breathtaking passes to cutting big men. Will provide a spark off the bench.
9. TOM HALMAN
42 games, 39 threes, 54/83 FT @ 65.1%, 92 PF @ 2.2 fpg, 371 pts @ 8.8 ppg. 1 SACBA and 1 Jultopia premiership. Thunder debut 2007, Jultopia A Grade debut 2009. 2-time Barry Smith Medallist. Versatile utility and lockdown defender. Renowned press-breaker and master of all things hustle. Likely to be given job of silencing the opposition's leading scorer. Will start at two-guard and finish at small forward.
10. JAMES SMITH
633 games, 96 threes, 1231/1810 FT @ 68.0%, 1136 PF @ 1.8 fpg, 8993 pts @ 14.2 ppg. 25 SABASA, 6 SACBA and 8 Jultopia premierships. Thunder debut 1991, Jultopia A Grade debut 1993. Player/coach. 19-time SABASA club best & fairest, 8-time Barry Smith Medallist, 11-time Jultopia All-Australian. Versatile centre with deft shooting touch. Most capped player in Thunder history. Will start at centre.
11. TERRY SLEEP
140 games, 82 threes, 95/209 FT @ 45.5%, 168 PF @ 1.2 fpg, 1439 pts @ 10.3 ppg. 5 SABASA and 8 Jultopia premierships. Thunder debut 2005, Jultopia A Grade debut 2000. 3-time SABASA club best & fairest, 5-time Jultopia All-Australian. Versatile forward/centre who delivers in the clutch (eg 2009 Jultopia final). Is a staggering 8-for-10 in Jultopia carnivals alongside twin tower James Smith. Will start at big forward.
13. ANDREW ZAJER
84 games, 2 threes, 105/211 FT @ 49.8%, 121 PF @ 1.4 fpg, 569 pts @ 6.8 ppg. 6 SABASA and 4 SACBA premierships. Thunder debut 1997. Versatile forward and lockdown defender. Is 10-for-11 in SABASA/SACBA competition. Second most-experienced player in the Thunder line-up, albeit for other clubs including the Northern Heat of the CBL. Port Augusta native who "returns home" to provide a spark off the bench.
Back soon with more previews of the upcoming game and a look at Port Pirie if our bothan spies return with information from the Prince Alfred game as expected. Early indications are the weather will be fine in the low 20s - perfect for an evening of basketball. Meanwhile though, the Thunder tomorrow night take on the Arndale Allstars in the double-chance SABASA semi-final. Game preview will be posted tomorrow.
In focus - the Thunder backcourt
November 21, 2009
Only a week remaining until the big exhibition match between the Port Pirie Panthers and Somerton Thunder and not since man landed on the moon 40 years ago in 1969, has there been this much excitement and anticipation. OK, perhaps that's a slight exaggeration but it's not too big a leap to say that just as the world had no idea what would lie in waiting for Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Mike Collins, we have no idea what lies in waiting for the Thunder but in an effort to build the drama, the hype, the atmosphere and the buzz (no pun intended), we bring you a weekend in focus on the Thunder team for the upcoming clash and first up, it's the backcourt where the Thunder will play five guards.
4. JOSH GONDOLF
455 games, 451 threes, 196/344 FT @ 57.0%, 477 PF @ 1.1 fpg, 2575 pts @ 5.7 ppg. 18 SABASA, 6 SACBA and 5 Jultopia premierships. Thunder debut 1996, Jultopia A Grade debut 1997. Assistant Coach. Long-range bomber at two-guard. Holds SABASA record for most threes in a game (12), and several other free throw and threes records. Sparkplug off the bench who can shoot the Thunder back into a contest.
5. CAL MCKINNON
140 games, 222 threes, 123/189 FT @ 65.1%, 109 PF @ 0.8 fpg, 1525 pts @ 10.9 ppg. 4 SABASA, 1 SACBA and 4 Jultopia premierships. Thunder debut 2007, Jultopia A Grade debut 2005. Combo guard with great handles and a deadly shot who can play either the one or two-guard positions. Is a perfect 4-for-4 in Jultopia carnivals alongside close friend Josip Vucetic. Will start for the Thunder at point guard.
8. BRAD ANDERSON
86 games, 27 threes, 28/104 FT @ 26.9%, 161 PF @ 1.9 fpg, 447 pts @ 5.2 ppg. 3 SABASA premierships. Thunder debut 2008, Jultopia A Grade debut 2000. Combo guard with genuine size who can play either the one or two-guard positions. Remains the only basketballer - dead or alive - to successfully complete a 720-spin on a fastbreak (in Jultopia Melbourne in 2000). Will provide serious hustle off the bench.
14. RAY WICKSTEIN
78 games, 152 threes, 53/80 FT @ 66.2%, 98 PF @ 1.3 fpg, 851 pts @ 10.9 ppg. 6 SABASA and 3 SACBA premierships. Thunder debut 2001. Point guard with a match-winning combination of speed, range and guile. The most-experienced player in the Thunder line-up, albeit for other clubs including the Northern Heat of the CBL. Port Augusta native who "returns home" to quarterback the Thunder for much of the game.
52. KERWIN PENN
71 games, 122 threes, 17/37 FT @ 45.9%, 68 PF @ 1.1 fpg, 551 pts @ 7.8 ppg. 1 SACBA and 2 Jultopia premierships. Thunder debut 2008. Jultopia A Grade debut 2008. Tall combo guard who regularly makes the triple from NBA-distance. The only Thunder player to have played in an exhibition match against Port Pirie (with the Central Districts Lions in 2008). Will come off the bench to play either guard position.
In unrelated news, it'd be remiss of us not to mention our newest nominee for "hero of the week". 81-year old grandfather Eric Steward went for a short drive in Yass to pick up the milk and 700km and nine hours later, wound up in Geelong. Believe or not. The story goes like this:
A relaxed Mr Steward and his wife Clare cracked jokes revealing Mrs Steward's son had heard about what had happened to his stepfather on local news in England. However, it had been a terrifying wait for Mrs Steward on Monday, when her husband went missing while taking an early morning drive to pick up some milk at Yass, near Canberra. He took a wrong turn and, not perturbed, just kept on driving, and driving and driving ... all the way past Melbourne and toward Geelong.
"This is a lot of fuss, I am really just here to entertain you, I just went out on the road for a nice, peaceful and quiet drive never expecting to be doing all this," the 80-year-old former navy seaman joked with reporters. "When I began to run out of petrol I thought to myself, I've come a long way, and all I wanted to do then was have enough petrol to find the next gas station. It didn't worry me, I don't worry about things, when you get to 80 and beyond it doesn't matter that much. I just thought with a bit of luck I will eventually find my wife again, which I did."
The Stewards live in Pambula on the NSW south coast and were staying with friends in Yass so Eric could take his wife to a medical appointment in Canberra for cancer treatment. She became desperately worried about her husband when six to seven hours passed by after he went for the milk and contacted police.
"I eventually spoke to him on the phone, he didn't know where he was and I asked him if there were any signs around," Mrs Steward told reporters. "He said the West Gate Bridge' and I said what? There were moments of desperation to the point where it was indescribable really. He has been such, and is such, a wonderful husband and such a wonderful carer during my chemotherapy, which is really a hellish ride."
Mr Steward finally stopped at a service station near Geelong and sought police assistance. For the record, Mr Steward suffers from short term memory issues related to Alzheimer's disease.
Mr Steward, we nominate you for "hero of the week" and the next time we go missing for nine hours or so, we're going to use the same excuse to our wives. "Darling, I can see Uluru. Not sure where I am though." Good times, good times. Back tomorrow with the Thunder's frontcourt.
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Somerton Thunder, Movember and Jultopia
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