Heartland Hustle: Phoenix Look to Stop JackJumpers Winning Streak

The NBL’s youngest franchises square off in the first meeting of the league’s most-recent expansion clubs at John Cain Arena on Sunday.

Assistant Judd Flavell has done a superb job coping with a revolving door of Covid absences while coach Simon Mitchell was in the league’s protocols, but he will step back out of the hot-seat with Mitchell set to return to prowl the sidelines after a three-game absence.

Flavell and now Mitchell have had almost no time to plan, either, with the resilient Phoenix to step on the floor for their fourth game in just nine days. These guys don’t make excuses, though, and are raring to keep their unbeaten record against the JackJumpers in tact.

The Phoenix were inspiring against Illawarra, stealing a one-point win without a number of key players and then lost star guard Xavier Munford on the eve of their clash with Sydney, but still had their chances to win that clash. It is this confidence that will hold them in great stead when the JackJumpers - winners of four straight games entering Sunday - come to town.

Keep an eye out for our man Ryan Broekhoff to continue his hot form and don’t be surprised if Mitch Creek explodes as he remains one of the most dominant forces in the entire NBL.

(Coach Simon Mitchell is set to return after three games out due to Covid Protocols.)

Key Details

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE 7-4 (3rd) v Tasmania JackJumpers 6-6 (4th)
Where: John Cain Arena
When: Sunday, February 13, 1pm AEDT
Watch: ESPN, Kayo, 10 Peach

The Teams

Phoenix

It’s been a very tough run for South East Melbourne, with Covid-absences hitting hard in the past month. A total of six players have missed time and star point guard Xavier Munford won’t suit up for the second straight game with Lachlan Barker remaining in the side as his covid replacement. Cam Gliddon is a chance to return, although that decision will be made close to game time.

In better news, Mitchell will be back, while Captain Kyle Adnam, too, will return. Wild Kyle has missed South East Melbourne’s last three games, so it remains to be seen how much gas he has in the tank as he works his way back to fitness.

(Captain Kyle Adnam is also set to return, bringing his game lifting skills to his side.)

JackJumpers

It’s very hard to find an issue for the JackJumpers at the moment. A win over Phoenix’s Throwdown rivals Melbourne United last time out made it four straight in the W column and put them in the top four for the first time. They have put together a balanced attack with a solid defence that is organised by big man Will Magnay.

Import MiKyle McIntosh had his best game for Tasmania with 16 points and will be one the Phoenix will have to keep tabs on.

Players to Watch

Phoenix

Lachlan Barker
It’s clear the Phoenix love what Barker has been doing since he was thrust into the limelight to cover Covid absences. The Tassie boy gets a chance to show his scoring punch against the team from his home state. Look for him to be even more confident after a 14-point career-high in his first start against the Kings. Keep an eye out for his sneaky hops, too. If he gets out on the break, he could tear the roof off JCA.

(Lachie Barker got called up to be in the starting five in the game against the Kings as he covered for the absent Phoenix players due to Covid.)

JackJumpers

Josh Magette and Josh Adams
The Jackies’ import guards have formed a lethal combination this season, with Magette’s distribution a key to their offence. Adams is a streaky shooter who can find his own shot and put points on the board quickly. Izayah Le’Afa, Lachlan Barker and Kyle Adnam will need to lock down defensively on the two back court studs.

The Jackies' will be without centre, Will Magney due to developing knee soreness.

Last 5
Phoenix: WWLWL
JackJumpers: LWWWW

The Stats

Phoenix
Points: M Creek, 21.91ppg (#2 in the NBL)
Rebounds: Z Qi, 7.22rpg
Assists: X Munford, 4.2apg
Blocks: Z Qi, 2.44bpg (#2 in the NBL)
Steals: M Creek, 1.64spg

JackJumpers
Points: J Adams, 15.25ppg
Rebounds: W Magnay, 5.55rpg
Assists: J Magette, 5.92apg
Blocks: W Magnay, 2.09bpg
Steals: S McDaniel, 1.33spg

The History

Regular season Head-to-Head:
South East Melbourne Phoenix 1-0 Tasmania JackJumpers

Last time out
Phoenix 76-63 JackJumpers

Phoenix
M Creek: 21 points
Z Qi: 18 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks, 8-9 FTM
K Adnam: 11 points, 3 3PM
R Broekhoff: 11 rebounds
B Ashley: 11 rebounds

JackJumpers
C Steindl: 16 points, 4 3PM
W Magnay: 10 points, 8 rebounds, 5 blocks
J Magette: 9 points, 9 assists

Recap

In what could only be described as a game that was a little strange, the Phoenix put together exactly one quarter of their best basketball and that proved enough to get over the JackJumpers.

Outscored by Tassie in the first, second and last quarters, the Phoenix locked down on defence and dialled up their offence to pour in 32 points to the JackJumpers’ 15 to put enough of a gap in the game to hold on.
MVP candidate Creek’s 21 points led all scorers in the historic first meeting between the two clubs.

Towering Zhou came close to a double-double with 18 points and eight rebounds, proving a big problem inside all night, going to the line eight times as the JackJumpers struggled to deal with him.

Adnam added 11 points off the bench, while Ryan Broekhoff spent his night crashing the glass, collecting 11 rebounds. Brandon Ashley also grabbed 11 boards in his Phoenix debut.

Jackies’ captain Clint Steindl got hot from deep, draining four three-pointers on his way to 16 points, while gun point guard Josh Magette dealt nine assists and big man Will Magnay swatted five shots.

(Phoenix will look to bounce back onto the winner's list as they take on the JackJumpers on Sunday.)

The Quote

“It’s something that’s hard to prepare for, losing players and a coach. But the strength of this team, we believe, is the depth and guys being able to step up when guys go out. It’s more so our performances that we’re thinking about, not so much who is missing, ‘poor us’ or anything like that. Whoever’s on the court, we believe can win the game.”
- In-form South East Melbourne star Ryan Broekhoff on the team’s approach to dealing with Covid absences

“The mood is very upbeat, very confident but we know we have an extremely tough opponent in South East Melbourne. We did not have a good showing against them fresh out of COVID. So, we're looking to keep the streak going but we know that we're going against a very talented and very difficult opponent in their home arena, so it'll be a tough one.”
- Import Josh Adams on the mood in the JackJumpers’ camp

Tickets for the game against the JackJumpers > CLICK HERE

Phoenix Media (12/2/22)