The NBL just got really interesting and when we say NBL, we really mean the ladder.  Ladders are usually interesting - they get you up and down things - and in the case of the NBL, it's Wollongong on the way up that has everyone talking.  After defeating Adelaide by 2 points last night, the NBL ladder (updated for Sunday's Perth win over Sydney) now looks like this:

Wollongong are on a five-game win streak and now sit just one loss behind Melbourne and Sydney.  Wollongong play Cairns next week, while Melbourne play New Zealand and Sydney.  Wow indeed.  Perth look locked into top spot whilst Adelaide are similarly secure in second but from there, it's anyone's game.  Exciting times.  NBL action - it's fan-tastic.

With thanks to Adelaide Now for the above photo of Surrey Downs cricketer Joel Horskins, today is Joel's show at Fullarton so if you're not at one of the Clipsal four 125km races, we'll see you there along with several other current and past Thunder players.  Good weather, good friends, good times, good times.  If you've lost the invite and can't remember the details, Bookface us or call Thunder coach James Smith directly.

No game tonight for either the Thunder or the Thunder Academy, both teams having two weeks off to prepare for Martopia action which of course, is closely followed by Aprtopia.  So as the days get shorter and the nights longer, we approach the middle third of the season as teams settle down for the stretch run.  Players are asked to rest up and continue their individual prehab programs as prepared by Club Fitness Coach, Poppavalium Andropoff.  For us, it's a night at home and a chance to watch Flying High II and the original Star Trek on Channel One.  Now that's good times, good times.

Bit of a trip down memory lane as a fan was spotted at a Denver Nuggets NBA game today wearing a Heritage Round Illawarra Hawks jersey.  Takes us back to the sighting of a Heritage Round Gateway Thunder "white Thunder" jersey at an Oklahoma City Thunder NBA game a few years ago.  There, not only did we pay homage to Heritage Round but we got the word thunder into a sentence three times.  Three times!  Back to today's story - or lack of - and our trip down memory lane continues as the Big V released their 2014 preseason video.  So what?  We turn our attention back to Thursday 12 July 2012 as a wounded South Australia closed a four-game day out with a fourth win despite the absence of "the deserter", Ed Howie, who left the team high and dry on the Tuesday prior (he says he snapped his ACL, MCL, BBL and EPL but we remain unconvinced).  And where was that fourth game?  We quote from the archives:

One more game break and then a final game in the dungeon against the Eastern Victoria High Jump Association and despite their efforts, they couldn't shake the EVs. A five-point margin at halftime narrowed as the game wore on, the reds only up by two points with 90 seconds remaining as the raucous home crowd took the noiseometer to a whole new level, their screams echoing off the brick walls of The Dungeon. It was at that stage though that the lack of a shot clock came to the forefront, SA killing time softly as the game wore down, Smith's buzzer beater layup giving them a 45-41 win that was much harder than it needed to be.

Aaah, the Eastern Victoria High Jump Association and The Dungeon.  Check the footage of The Dungeon in the video (click the above picture to go there - only takes two minutes) and for those that were there, relive the good times, good times.  We sure are.  Come back soon, Ed.

Section 28 (3) of the Heritage Places Act 1993 states that "a person must not alter an object entered in the Register (either as a provisional or confirmed entry) under section 14 (2b) in a way that would materially affect the heritage significance of the object."  Now we're not lawyers but we suspect pulling down a backboard of immeasurable heritage value - ironically only a week after Heritage Round - fulfils the crime specified in Section 28 (3) above and warrants the harshest of penalties.  The Act tells us the penalty is $75,000.  We say that's a starting point.  This is an act of reckless vandalism, the likes of which we have never seen.  30-odd years of Gateway Thunder heritage are enclosed in that "piece of wood" (to use the offensive words of the vandals themselves).  They then went further, having the hide to say "sorry about that kids but everything has its time".  Its time?  Adelaide Oval has had a $500-million development and you don't see them removing items of historical significance.  We contacted Thunder captain Brad Smith for his thoughts.  His response?

"They can't pull the backboard down because I need to keep practicing my foul shots.  They claim that's why it has rotted, not enough use."

So not only do they commit an unforgivable crime, they take the opportunity to denigrate an all-time Thunder legend.  This is a travesty, an injustice, a farce, an outrage and the hypocrisy of the perpetrator/s astounds us.  There's a famous saying "the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing".  Well do nothing, we will not.  A $75,000 reward is now being offered for anyone who can locate the "piece of wood" and return it to its former glory.  We won't rest until it happens.  It's about justice.  A chance to shine and make a difference.  It's for hope.  Join us in saying enough is enough.  Sad times, sad times.

PS.  Sadly, most of the above is true.  Part of us just died.  Rest in peace, backboard.

We borrow this article from Basketball SA and no, we're not a political website but when we see something good for basketball, hey, you've got our vote.

Basketball SA welcomes today's announcement that should they win the upcoming state election, Steven Marshall and the Liberal Party have committed $3 million towards building a 4-6 court stadium at Marion as part of the redevelopment of the Marion Sports and Community Club.  Basketball SA CEO Mark Hubbard said "Basketball SA has been working with all levels of government for the past 3 years on the Marion Sports and Community Club Master Plan.  This commitment from the Liberals is a signifcant positive step towards securing the funding we need to go ahead and green light this project.  Basketball SA is prepared to contribute $500K in principle towards the project and we will work with council to identify opportunities to raise the remaining funds".  The Master Plan, which was accepted by Marion City Council last November, features a 4-6 court indoor basketball stadium including a cafe, change rooms, offices, gymnasium and a 500-seat retractable stand.  The new stadium will replace the existing Marion Basketball Stadium - where Thunder captain Brad Smith first scored for the opposition but we digress - which is struggling to cope with the popularity of basketball in the region.  The Marion Basketball Stadium is currently home to over 240 basketball teams, services 1700 participants per week and caters to an average of 55,000 visitors annually.  The South Adelaide Panthers Basketball Club, who are based at the stadium, has grown by 27% and junior participation at the stadium has grown by 23% in the past two years.  The new stadium will provide a first-class facility which will have the capacity to attract interstate and national competitions as well as enhance the experience of the rapidly growing South Australian basketball community.

And to that we say, vote Ron K Dean whoever it is in your local seat that supports basketball.  Now that's good times, good times.

Wow, that was a win.  The Adelaide 36ers blew out an injury-depleted Townsville tonight, leading by 42 points during the third quarter before settling for a meagre 32-point win.  But it was early on when Gary Ervin accepted a Mitch Creek pass for an alleyoop for the ages, that everyone was oohing and aahing.  Sure, the little fella can get up (just ask him) but no-one would've believed in their wildest dreams (except perhaps Gary himself) that he could've done that.  He jumped, caught the ball, threw it down and hung around for a while, just begging the umpires to tech foul him so he could get called for it and tell everyone forever and ever that he got teched for an alleyoop.  But alas, there was no tech foul but there will always be the memories of the dunk.  Sadly, there's no video yet but we are working on it.  For now, enjoy the stillshots and if you haven't got your tickets for Friday night fight night v Perth this week, best get them soon.  Good times, good times.

Wow, that got close.  Too close.  In the most recent edition of our online poll, retired Thunder forward Ed Howie pipped forward Terry Sleep in the race to have the next Thunder youngling.  The final results saw Ed Howie 24, Terry Sleep 23, Nick Kyriazis 13, Brad Smith 3, Player X 3.  Congratulations Ed and Amy on the news that baby Sovereign will soon have a younger baby brother/sister whilst it's back to the drawing board for big Tezza, who will have to wait until the next poll to add to his growing brood.  And yes, we expect Ed to announce the news shortly.  That's the power of the poll.  Good times, good times.

Relaxing times tonight as the Thunder enjoy a second-straight Monday on the sidelines, enjoying the Adelaide Cup Long Weekend with a raft of pastimes including family times at Victor Harbor, animals at Monarto Zoo, and hand-fishing off the coast of Adelaide.  The one that caught our eye was hand-fishing so we tagged (excuse the pun) along with Thunder captain Brad Smith in the early hours of the morning this weekend and a quick Google later, came across the above photo at reelactioncharters.com.au (go on, Google it yourself if you don't believe us).  Whilst we didn't see Brad catch this one, we were tired so probably missed it as we nodded off to sleep.  Just talking about fishing does that to ya, let alone actually being there.  Back to the story though and the peculiar fishing method sees Brad reach into the water and pluck the fish (or in this case, shark) out by hand.  Now we don't recommend you try this at home but if you do, good luck.  Most of us don't have an ocean in our backyard for starters, but we digress.  For us, it's just another way the Thunder players enjoyed the weekend ahead of next week's return to the court as the SABASA season settles into the stretch run.  Now that will be good times, good times.

Wow.  Check this for the highest single-game scores by a player in the NBL's history, all having been in a 48-minute game.

1. 71 Al Green (West Adelaide) vs Frankston 25/05/84
2. 63 Reg Biddings (Forrestville) vs Bankstown 12/04/81
3. 61 Shane Heal (Brisbane) vs Townsville 23/09/94
4. 60 Al Green (West Adelaide) vs Sydney 05/05/84
5. 60 Andrew Gaze (Melbourne) vs Newcastle 11/07/87

Now you can add Chris Goulding to the list, from Sunday's game v Sydney Kings.  Now we know he only scored a meagre 50 but if you extrapolate it from 40 minutes out to 48 minutes, you get 60 points which puts him in rarified air indeed.  A big thanks to Thunder captain Brad Smith for giving us the heads up during the first quarter of Sunday's game - "best turn on the TV because Goulding is going nuts" - and for anyone who missed it, including those so-called basketball fans who don't follow the NBL, click on the above picture to go to a link showing all 50 points.  Wow indeed.  From everyone at leaguelineup.com and the Thunder, credit where credit is due.  Congratulations Bubbles on a seriously impressive game and a terrific achievement.  Now Chris, any chance you've got a week off in July?  You'd look good in red and blue .....

Truly tragic news today as the Australian sporting community lost one of the good guys, Adelaide Crows assistant coach Dean Bailey (pictured above with his good friend, the Late Jim Stynes).  Bailey, a former Port Adelaide assistant coach and Melbourne head coach, died this morning after a short battle with cancer.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Caron and sons Darcy and Mitchell, to the Adelaide Crows' players and staff, and to all those he touched along life's journey.  Whilst we only briefly met Dean in passing in his role at Port Adelaide, we have only ever heard good things about this good man and the impact he had on the Adelaide Crows in his short time there, speaks volumes about him.  Today we lost one of the good ones and may the love of Jesus be with his family as they go through this difficult time.  Vale Dean Bailey.

Exciting times as the 2014 Saturday SACBA season draws nigh, scheduled to tip off on Saturday 3 May 2014.  Last year of course, saw the Thunder fall to Prince Alfred (the team, not the man) 35-34 but 2014 brings a clean slate and new opportunities to go one point closer and get that darn premiership cup back.  Yeah, right, we're over it.  But we digress and it's time to assemble the 2014 roster so players are asked to contact Coach James Smith if they're a) available, b) interested and c) in career-best shape.  Anyone answering no to any of these questions need not apply.  Time for the trophy to come home where it belongs so if you want to be part of the 2014 SACBA tilt, we'll be hearing from ya soon.  Good times, good times.

The Adelaide 36ers last night wrapped up second spot but their 20+ point blowout of the Perth Wildcats came at a price and a high one at that, captain Adam Gibson limping from the court with a strained solaris muscle.  We asked Thunder guard Nick Kyriazis for his thoughts and he confirmed that it definitely looked like a solaris injury.  "It definitely looked like a solaris injury," he may or may not have said.  36ers doctor Darren Ng was reportedly lost for words and diagnosis, unable to identify where the solaris muscle is either on the injured player or in a dictionary but we digress.  Gibbo is expected to miss the next 1-2 games and should return for the playoffs, meaning he'll qualify for a solaris rebate on his feed-in tariff and should be able to continue his role as host of Channel Nine's Wide World of Sports.  From everyone at leaguelineup.com and the Thunder, our thoughts and prayers are with Gibbo as he seeks to recover in time for the finals.  Now that would be good times, good times.

Welcome to the 2014 AFL season or is it still 2013?  We just finished watching Port Adelaide v Carlton and after a slow start, the Power ran all over the Blues, dominating the final quarter in a way that only Port Adelaide can.  Now we're totally and completely unbiased when it comes to which football team we follow, but we're fast becoming Port Adelaide fans.  Ollie Wines, Justin West-Hoff, Jared Polec, Andrew Jarman Impey ..... it's good times to be a Port Adelaide supporter so if you're like us and haven't signed up for a membership - or you haven't received a free membership in the mail or been given free tickets by someone at your church - you should.  We, oops, they've got the Power to win.  Can't wait for the state game in two weeks to open the new Adelaide Oval.  Port Adelaide - the team for 46,000 South Australians.  Good times, good times.

PS.  Is that Thunder captain Brad Smith giving Hamish Hartlett a friendly tap on the head?  Kinda looks like it.  More good times, good times.

4-0 on the season and after a 3-week break in proceedings, the Thunder return to action tonight against a long-time opponent in the Seaton Ramblers.  For those with short memories, Somerton and Portside went at it hammer and tong throughout the late 1990s as Daniel Cahill, Rob Horskins, Paul Whitford and the usual Thunder suspects battled it out against Andy Chirkoff, Gavin Clark, Boris Djuric, Paul Force, Sam Osborne, Peter Tarasiuk and Paul Whelan.  Today's teams see some changes but with much the same, the Thunder still rolling out Gondolf, Smith and Smith whilst Seaton return the favour with the veteran Clark.  Tonight though, it's no longer black and gold v the red CCCP, but the navy blue Thunder v the light blue Vanilla Thunder.  Both teams in blue, both teams named Thunder.  With no further adieu, we present to you Gateway v Seaton.

LAST FIVE GAMES HEAD-TO-HEAD
4/11/2013: Gateway 39 d Seaton 28
19/8/2013: Gateway 50 d Seaton 34
22/10/2012: Gateway 46 d Seaton 31
27/8/2012: Gateway 55 d Seaton 48
30/4/2012: Gateway 52 d Seaton 30

OUR PREDICTION
We'll never stop, stop, stop til we're top, top, top ..... sorry, wrong game.  Has Ollie Wines won the Brownlow yet?  Round 1 action - it's fantastic.  Back to the basketball though and rumours have it the Thunder will be without at least one player tonight, putting extra pressure on the remaining players but we say they'll be up to it.  The Saturday SACBA season is only six weeks away and Jultopia only sixteen weeks away so it's time for the rubber to meet the road.  Add St Patrick's Day to the mix and perhaps, just perhaps, the Thunder will wear their 1997 Heritage Round green, black and white jerseys.  But we digress and if you're looking for a prediction, you've come to the right place.  Thunder by 9 points to move to 5-0 on the season.  Now that would be good times, good times.

Gateway Thunder coach James Smith has a warning for the rest of the competition after the Thunder steamrolled Seaton on Monday night: when you play his side, be prepared to run for as hard and long as you can. Gateway trailed Seaton by four points early on before unleashing a 42-12 turnaround to run out convincing 26-point victors, 45-19. Smith may or may not have said after the match that the Thunder had supreme confidence in their fitness and appetite for hard work. "100 per cent honest. We're just a great running team. Teams know they're going to play against a hard-running Gateway," Smith may or may not have said after the come-from-behind victory.  "We're going to make it a tough day. If you come and play against Gateway, then you're going to have to run. And you're going to have to run really hard for two halves." 

Exciting times for the Adelaide 36ers as tickets were today released for the upcoming semi-final series against the Melbourne Tigers.  Game One Thursday 27/3 in Adelaide, Game Two Sunday 30/3 in Melbourne, Game Three Tuesday 1 April in Adelaide if needed.  Of course, Game Three won't be needed - have to be swanfident at this time of year - so regardless, book your tickets for Game One now.  Members can access their tickets from now until Sunday night, after which they go on sale to the general public.  So be there or be somewhere else but you can be rest assured, Thursday night basketball will be rocking next week.  Now that's good times, good times.

PS.  We received an email from anonymous female viewer asking who is the good-looking guy on the far right?  If we're not mistaken, it's Brendan Teys.  Keep your questions coming in.  Good times, good times.

Here ye, here ye.  I, Queen Elizabeth II, do hereby declare that Thomas Halman, of the house of Gateway, and Lindy Diener, of Adelaide, are hereby engaged.  Tom and Lindy were first introduced to me when they were filming a documentary series with the BBC on the world's largest bridge, the Kelvinator.  I am thrilled to have formally approved their engagement and both Phillip and I are over the moon - though not literally - with the news and look forward to a royal wedding soon with invitations surely to be sent by royal telegram to every member of the Thunder family (including their umpteen children) and yes Terry Sleep, it's expected that the Orange Jacket be present for the big event.  From everyone at the House of Windsor, leaguelineup.com and the Thunder, we send the Halmanator and Lindy our congratulations and wish them the best of British luck as they prepare for the next chapter in their lives and to Thomas, jolly good show, ol' chap.

PS.  Next time Thomas, perhaps more formal attire would be appropriate for the occasion .....

2007 Jultopia premiers (from left to right): Craig Merrett, Ed Howie, Nick Kyriazis, Ben Todd (front), James Smith (back), Josip Vucetic (front), Terry Sleep (back), Brad Smith, Josh Gondolf

Exciting times as Thunder and Jultopia forward Terry Sleep celebrated his 21st (or is it 31st or even 41st?) birthday again today, as coach James Smith put the extended 2014 Jultopia squad through their paces at the Gawler Starplex.  It was a case of "spot the car not parked in a permit zone" as the aging Jultopians left their vehicles and walked gingerly into the stadium with their crutches, zimmer frames, mobility scooters and wheelchairs.  "No joke, if we can walk, we can win this," Terry may or may not have said but we have to admit, he may or may not be right.  The two hour training session was closely followed by an all-night Uno match, the game going so late into the evening that if you asked the players what happened on Saturday, they dead-set won't remember.  "Dead-set, I can't remember training, Uno, anything.  I swear I was at football and celebrating my birthday with family and then I wake up Sunday and read this.  Unblvbl.  Must've been one heckuva Uno game," Sleep said early the next day.  Still, we're excited at the early Jultopia preparation and can't wait for the Inglis Memorial Shield to return home to South Australia where it belongs.  From everyone at leaguelineup.com and the Thunder, congratulations Terry on his 21st birthday and all the best for many more.  Good times, good times.

Breaking news as we share the latest episode of the story that is the life of Thunder Academy forward Hope Smith.  The former SABASA Best & Fairest writhed in agony after attempting the "Iron Lotus" last night in her loungeroom, reassured that a good night's sleep would be sufficient to heal the injury.  Sleep fixes everything - just ask him - but in this case, it wasn't enough as Hope spent the morning in hospital before returning home with a diagnosis of broken third and fourth metacarpals.  We contacted club surgeon Dr Reed Alldabooks for his thoughts and he confirmed the diagnosis of broken third and fourth metacarpals.  "I can confirm the diagnosis of broken third and fourth metacarpals," he may or may not have said.  "We'll leave it a week and see how her circulation is and assuming she can still walk in circles, we'll set a full body cast and she'll then face 6-10 weeks on the sidelines.  If her circulation isn't good though, we'll be back under the knife but fortunately for Hope, she's experienced in that department so she should handle it in her stride."  The 6-10 week recovery time should see Hope return in time for the SABASA finals and Jultopia.  From everyone at leaguelineup.com and the Thunder, we wish Hope all the best for her recovery and look forward to the news that she's 100% and ready to return to the court.  Now that will be good times, good times.

Reports are flooding in of a serious ankle injury to a Thunder player but like many (or most) of the reports on this website, we have a hard time telling if it's true or otherwise.  Our bothan spies tell us the player may or may not have injured themselves fishing which is kind of ironic, because we've been fishing for a decent story all week.  Add this to the expected absence of another player due to work commitments - expect their contract to be reviewed soon if this keeps up - and assuming the Thunder are down two players, they should be able to cover the absence and if Coach Ken Hinkley's James Smith's post-game interview last week is anything to go by, their preseason fitness regime should get them through.  With no further adieu, we present to you Gateway v Marion.

LAST FIVE GAMES HEAD-TO-HEAD
17/2/2014: Gateway 34 d Marion 33
25/11/2013: Gateway 46 d Marion 35
16/9/2013: Marion 48 d Gateway 37
5/8/2013: Gateway 57 d Marion 34
6/5/2013: Gateway 47 d Marion 41

OUR PREDICTION
The last time these two teams met, Marion were without star guard Brad Davidson whilst Gateway were without their mojo for at least the final five minutes.  The result was a one-point win that left the fans wanting more so just five weeks later, their wish is the SABASA's command.  Marion remain a strong outfit and are well in the race for the premiership, whilst Gateway are similarly positioned but underdone courtesy of injury after injury after Bando missing after injury after work commitments after Bando missing after injury.  At 5-0 on the season, a win tonight will almost guarantee a finals berth and likely a top-two finish but a loss points the blues in the opposite direction so look for the Thunders to come out firing.  Josh Gondolf and Albert Viranatuleo should be back in uniform after missing last week's clash so expect them to have fresh legs, which should off-set Marion's adding Davidson to their backcourt, though the unknown player absences could see this one fall either way.  Our tip?  It's hard to go past the Thunder at 5-0 so with that in mind, we say Gateway by 6 points.  Anyway, let's hope so.  Good times, good times.

Separated at birth perhaps?  An anonymous viewer sent us the above picture of the Late Reverend Doctor Johann Michael Reu, noting that this is exactly what Mike will look like when he's an old man.  Enough of next week though, and last night's game saw the Thunder without Reu who missed the game to tailor his moustache for the official team photos, and Albert Viranatuleo who stayed home to catch up on past leaguelineup.com stories so he can keep up with all the inside jokes in the locker room.  An undermanned Thunder started strong, bursting out of the blocks to a 14-2 lead that saw Marion call time-out as they searched for answers to stop the Thunder's rampaging fastbreak game, led admirably by the injured Brad Smith.  And as they asked questions of each other, they found the right answers and slowed the Thunder down, narrowing the margin and turning the game into a legitimate arm wrestle or in Bando's case, a dead-set coat-hanger.  And as Bando licked his wounds, the hard fouls continued and Marion gained ascendancy, only to see the Thunder regain control in the final minutes, back out to a 10-point game before turnover city saw Marion back within four in the dying moments, the final margin six points as the siren sounded.  Final score Gateway 37 d Marion 31 as the Thunder moved to 6-0 on the season and a stranglehold on top spot.  Now that's good times, good times.

We're speechless.  We are without speech.  So many things we could say but we're not a football site and we're completely unbiased when it comes to who we follow in football.  Unblvbl.  Click on the above picture for an 80-second inside look at "Chants Hour".  Warning for those who haven't seen it - you will cry.  We sure did.  Four days to the Showdown.

With the 36ers opening the 2014 NBL Finals tonight, it's only fitting that Kevin Brooks send a 20th anniversary video to the Denver Nuggets.  Why?  Why not?  Click on the above video to see the Brown Hornet send a cheerio to his 1994 Denver Nuggets' teammates and any time an Adelaide boy gets a mention on the world stage, has to be a good time.  Good times, good times.

We borrow this from tomorrow's Sunday Mail and yes, while we know that sounds all strange and stuff, don't blame us if it appeared on AdelaideNow today.  Click on the above link if you don't believe us.  Strewth, as if we'd make something - anything - up.  There are extra pictures  though, including a gorgeous baby snap (shame about Nick though - Theo is much better looking) .....

AFTER four decades of love and laughter Adelaide’s Kyriazis quadruplets are about to celebrate their 40th birthdays with a party which will include 27 immediate family members.  Victoria, Dimitrios, Nicholas and Theodore will toast mother Mary, along with their three older siblings Denise, Evan and Olga, all their respective partners, and Mary’s 12 cherished grandchildren. Plus an assortment of other relatives, in-laws, friends and Gateway Thunder teammates, in a close family where there is always space for extras at the dinner table.

Sadly, patriarch Pyrros Kyriazis, — described as the family rock — passed away earlier this year, so the night also will honour the man who was the undisputed top of the family pyramid. It was April 9, 1974 that a “quad squad’ of about a dozen medical specialists delivered South Australia’s first surviving quadruplets at Queen Victoria Hospital. The quad squad included ‘copilots’ obstetrician Dr Eric Furness and family GP Dr Dennis Furniss — the medico friends were also pilots on the Royal Aero Club of SA committee. The 9.17am caesarean section birth, about a month premature, followed a nervous lead up after Dr Furness first told Mrs Kyriazis she was carrying four babies. Ironically when first married the couple had trouble conceiving, but by then had Denise, 5, Evan, 4 and Olga, 2 and were hoping for one more to make four. Mary’s abnormally large size early in the natural pregnancy was the first clue it might be a multiple birth. Doctors initially thought twins, then triplets. A scan in January confirmed there were four babies — a 1 in 700,000 chance. Obstetrician Dr Furness was quoted at the time saying: “There were heads everywhere.” The Kyriazis’ initially were speechless when told, with Mary finally turning to Pyrros and giving him a big kiss. The couple then took the extraordinary news in their stride. Pyrros famously quipped: “God misheard — I had three children and told him I wanted four. But because of my accent he misheard and gave me four at once.”

Mary, now a dignified 68 with an engaging twinkle in her eye, said the news came as a bit of a shock. “But I was young and I had guts,” she said. “I don’t scare easily. I also had excellent doctors.” Those doctors admitted her to hospital immediately, with the hope she could carry the quadruplets for as long as possible to give them the best chance of survival. After a few contractions early in April the decision was made to deliver the babies on April 9. In a tense procedure lasting half an hour after Dr Furness first cut into Mary’s abdomen, four babies came into the world. The work of the quad squad was televised to watching doctors, nurses, medical students and journalists on closed circuit TV. Victoria arrived first, followed by Dimitrios, then the twins-within-the-quads, Nicholas and Theodore. Thankfully all were healthy, and champagne flowed among relieved onlookers including Pyrros.

On discharge it was time for a new adventure. The family had immigrated to Australia from Ethiopia four years earlier and lived in a tiny two bedroom maisonette at Taperoo, with Mary’s parents Nick and Denise Pandelias in the adjoining maisonette. With seven little Australians aged five and under, life was hectic. There were four newborns to be fed every few hours, bathed and changed, three small children with their own needs, shopping, cleaning, washing, ironing ... sleep was a rare luxury for parents whose earlier lives in Africa had included servants. The family lived there for 18 months until then-deputy premier Des Corcoran arranged for a block of Housing Trust land at West Lakes Shore to be gifted to them on condition they build a home within two years and pay it off. Chrysler had donated a station wagon, and Mr Corcoran — a father of eight — privately gave them a refrigerator. Pyrros worked seven days a week as a factory worker including night shifts and the family achieved the dream, building a four bedroom home. The four boys shared one bedroom with double bunk beds, Denise had her own and Olga and Victoria shared one. “It had two bathrooms, thank goodness,” Mary recalls with a broad smile. “It was busy but it was wonderful, we ran on love. Family always came first and it was a household of laughter.” The quads’ older brother Evan puts it succinctly: “It was organised chaos.”

After Mary’s father passed away the quads were aged just six when her mother had a stroke confining her to a wheelchair — she lived with the family for another 19 years as the family added another bedroom. In a chat with the Sunday Mail at Theo’s home where all 27 immediate family members gathered for one of their regular get-togethers, all the family recalled good times growing up. “There was a bit of healthy rivalry — mainly among the boys — but there was lots of good humour,” Victoria said. “We are a very close family and we all still get together regularly for birthdays and things like Christmas.” The household ran on military precision — dinner was at 6pm every night, and each member had their allotted place at a table for 10. No-one could start eating until all were seated, no-one could leave until all were finished, and Pyrros would ensure all the children told about their day — as he worked flat out to pay the bills it was precious family time. One strong memory for all the family is that there was always extra room at the table. “There were always visitors and friends over, and there was always room for them at dinner,” Victoria said. “And if a friend had any kind of problem they could always stay over, there was always room.”

With no shortage of playmates the quads had a happy childhood, attending Semaphore Park Primary then West Lakes High. While rich in love, money was a bit tight although none recalls being aware of missing out on anything. “The one thing we just could not do was go on holidays, we just could not afford it,” Mary said. A big annual treat was for the whole family to go into the city, wander around, go to Kmart and buy lunch. Even saints have been known to run out of patience. The quads recall, a little shamefacedly, their mother ‘went on strike’ for a day when they were about eight, and the boisterous fun of a full house finally got a little too much. But love conquerors all and life quickly returned to normal — which included a phone that never stopped ringing, washing machines that never stopped washing, endless showering and constant ‘taxi driving’ in the family station wagon. Part-time jobs, learning to drive at the same time, being old enough to go to pubs and clubs en masse, meeting boyfriends/girlfriends — as the quads and their older siblings grew up Pyrros moved from factory work to become a top salesman at Le Cornu, while Mary continued as a supermum proud of her brood.

The quads have all had children of their own in the past decade, none of them multiple births. In fact the only multiple birth on either side of the family prior to the quads was Pyrros’ grandmother who was a twin. “It skips a generation,” Mary confided sagely, with a mischievous wink as she gazed fondly on her pack of grandchildren playing a rambunctious game of backyard basketball.

OK, maybe we're six months late but as the NBL season draws to a close - and with Wollongong bowing out today to Perth - it behoves us to give a quick mention to the Hawks' Rotnei Clarke.  Along with Sydney's Jesse Sanders, he openly acknowledges God in all he does and serves as a wonderful example of how Christian athletes can - and should - conduct themselves both on and off the court.  No grandstanding, no abuse of referees or opponents - just playing hard and giving glory to God.  We were sent the below quote by Clarke who was seriously injured in 2012 and unable to play for several months.

"It's easy to praise God because I've had a great practice or a great game.  It's easy to praise Him in success, but when you are really going through a struggle or something really tough in your life, I feel like I blame God.  But this made me realise that if basketball is taken away from me, I know I still have my relationship with Him.  I can still find Him.  I can still seek Him.  He's going to be there for me no matter what, when basketball isn't."

What a wonderful reminder that whilst basketball is everything, we know it isn't.  In Matthew 24:35, Jesus tells us "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away."  Amen to that and Amen to the blessings Clarke has given us as Australian basketball fans over the past six months.  From everyone at leaguelineup.com and the Thunder, we pray God's richest blessings on Clarke and his fiancee Patricia as they plan their wedding for later this year, and for everything that lies ahead in their lives.  God bless and continue to be the wonderful example you are.

Sad times yesterday as the Melbourne Tigers defeated the Adelaide 36ers, sending their semi-final series to a Game Three.  Sad not because of the result - that happens in sport - but because it means there are no games tonight at the Cal McKinnon Court.  Personally, we would've loved to have seen Adelaide v Melbourne at 8.30pm on the Cal McKinnon Court, though we probably wouldn't watch the whole thing because we'd have to warm up for our game at 9.15pm on Court Dark.  Regardless, we're told there are no games - Bookface has spoken and when has Bookface ever lied? - so put your feet up on the couch, book your tickets for Tuesday night's NBL elimination final, and see you there tomorrow night.  Thunder players are reminded of Nick's thing this coming Saturday and to continue their mid-season finals prehab programs.  Good times, good times.