Nacel All-Stars 2002 Tour To Australia

NACEL ALL STARS 2002 AUSTRALIAN TOUR

Game 3 – Wednesday 31 July 2002

Nacel All Stars vs Australian Boomers

Venue: Gosford City Sports Stadium

Attendance: 500

A 500 strong crowd greeted the Nacel All Stars and the Australian Boomers for the tour game played during the Boomers camp in Gosford. Many of the crowd were school children and it created an exciting atmosphere for the players.

The match opened with a wrestle in the low-post between two seven footers – Chris Anstey (Australia) and Matt Nelson (Nacel). After order was restored, the Boomers were quick to exert their dominance inside with Anstey scoring freely. Almanson and Hendrix kept the visitors in touch.

Once the Americans adjusted their defense inside it was the perimeter shooters of the Boomers that extended the lead. Drmic, Bruton, Maher and Saville were all doing damage from the perimeter, while Andre Owens and Damany Hendrix were working hard for the Americans.

With the European tour team being selected after this game each of Boomers were playing for positions. At half time they lead 65 – 47.

The Nacel All Stars continued to fight hard in the second half while the Boomers were showing the good form that they displayed recently in China. The size of Anstey, Helliwell, Schenscher and Pepper gives Australia an inside presence – out rebounding the tall Americans 46 – 34.  

One match highlight was a thunderous dunk by Andre Owens (Nacel). With CJ Bruton playing excellent defense for most of the game, Owens gave him the slip in traffic for a jam with the tall timber a step too late on the help defense.

The best for the Boomers – Chris Anstey (26 points at 80%), Matthew Nielson (15 points at 67%, 9 rebounds), and Frank Drmic (17 points at 71%, 7 assists)

The best for the Nacel All Stars – Andre Owens (16 points, 5 assists, 6 rebounds), Johnnie Gilbert (8 points, 11 rebounds), and Josh Almanson (13 points at 50%, 4 steals).

Final Score – Australian Boomers 128 d Nacel All Stars 85.

Scorers – Australian Boomers:

Chris Anstey 26, Frank Drmic 17, Matthew Neilson 15, Brett Maher 10, Glenn Saville 10, CJ Bruton 9, Tony Ronaldson 8, Daniel Egan 7, Ben Pepper 6, Wade Helliwell 6, Aaron Trahair 6, Matt Campbell 4, John Rillie 3, Luke Schenscher 3.

Scorers – Nacel All Stars:

Andre Owens 16, Damany Hendrix 14, Josh Almanson 13, Erik Crawford 11, Drake Diener 9, Johnnie Gilbert 8, Scott Merritt 6, Eddie Robinson 4, Jon Paul Kobryn 2, Matt Nelson 2.