Allstar Weekend a Huge Success

The first ever Far North QLD Super League All-Star Weekend proved to be a huge success with over 1500 spectators enjoying the games & events over the Australia Day weekend.
 
Event organiser Joel Khalu said the weekend had definitely surpassed all expectations.
 
“The community really got behind this event and nobody left disappointed.  There was a very positive vibe throughout the whole weekend and the high-level of play was extremely entertaining.”
 
The All-Star weekend commenced with a thrilling opening game with the Torres Strait All-Star team, the Zenadth Kes Kustodians, taking on the  Port Moresby All-Stars from Papua New Guinea.  In what many considered to be the game of the tournament, the Kustodians led by Gabriel Bani’s 33-point haul defeated the Port Moresby All-Stars 100-99 in overtime.

Zenadth Kes Kustodians take a time-out against the Port Moresby All-Stars

“The first game really set a high benchmark for the rest of the weekend,” Khalu noted.  “There was a huge and very vocal crowd and for the most part of the game everybody was on the edge of their seat.”
 
Following the opening game was the 3-point shootout.  The top eight shooters in the region took part with Phoenix guard Curt Ahwang and Port Moresby shooting sensation Peter Davini advancing to the final.  In the final, Ahwang dominated walking away with the title as the inaugural 3-point shootout champion.

Timberwolves player Kris Whelan in the 3-Point Shootout

The second competition of the evening was the battle for the Slam Dunk title.  Once again eight competitors participated showcasing their  creativity and athleticism above the rim.  After three rounds of high-flying action, Richard Bani (T.S.I Kustodians), Charles Opio (Mulgrave Magic), Deba George (Atherton Harriers) & Sibona Kala (Port Moresby) advanced through to the final.  In the final, hometown hero and former Cairns Taipans NBL player Deba George brought the crowd to their feet with two ‘perfect 50’ dunks to claim the crown as the best dunker.

 

In the main game of the night the City All-Stars played the Country All-Stars.  These All-Star teams were made up of the top players from the FNQ Super League, selected via a 3-2-1 pints voting system.  In a hard-fought game, the City All-Stars sealed the victory 102-90, with James Comino leading the City team with 17 points.  For Country, Deba George scored 20 points and big-man Rowan Gray added 17.  Conrad Ahwang from the City All-Stars was named the game’s Most Valuable Player with a 16-point, 6-steal performance.
 
Day two action saw the women take to the floor with the Port Moresby Women’s team taking on a Cairns Select representative team.  Led by former Australian representative player Jenny Evans, the Port Moresby All-Stars walked away with the victory 59-53.  Evans top scored for Port Moresby with 13, while Brook Couper contributed 15 for the Cairns Select side.
 
In the second game of day two, The City All-Stars dominated the Port Moresby side 125-81, with James Comino again leading the way with 23 points.  He was well supported by Reece Craigie (21) and Conrad Ahwang (19).  For the Port Moresby All-Stars Sibona Kala & Wally Parapa both added 14 each.
 
The final game of day two saw the TSI Kustodians match-up with the Country All-Stars.  In a hard fought game the Country All-stars eventually broke free winning the game 99-71.  Curt Ahwang had 19 for the Country team while Gabriel Bani once again dominated the paint for the Kustodians, finishing with 22.
 
Day three once again opened with the Port Moresby women taking on the Cairns Select side.  In another nail-biting clash, scores were tied at 55 a piece at the end of regulation.  In the overtime period  Cairns Dolphins player and Select team member Ashley North secured the 66-61 win for her team with a three-point basket from the corner.  North led all scorers with 23, while promising Cairns Under 16 junior Teyla Evans had 19.  Jenny Evans once again paced the Port Moresby women with 22.

In the second game the City All-Stars once again put on a dominant performance defeating the Torres Strait Kustodians 121-85.  Brian Walsh led all scorers with 23, while former Northern Territory representitive player Travis Thorne added 22.  For the Kustodians Bali Satrick finished a team-high 22.

In the final game of competition the Country All-Stars sealed a 120-94 victory over the Port Moresby All-Stars, with guard Deba George adding 21.  Michael Paiwan scored 26 for the Papua New Guinea visitors.

Country All-Stars & Port Moresby All-Stars

Khalu said the one of the main outcomes from the tournament was trying to get both the Kustodians and Port Moresby teams into the FNQ Super League.
 
“Our goal is to have the Kustodians join the league next season and the Port Moresby team the following year.  If we can accomplish this it will definitely take the Super League competition to the next level and open up a pathway for many more players.  Obviously we have alot of work to do to make this a reality but right now the feedback and talks with officials from each team has been very positive.”

RESULTS FROM GAMES PLAYED ON FRIDAY JANUARY 23
 
·        ZenADTH KES KUSTODIANS 100 (Gabriel Bani 33, Jacob Pilot 20) def PORT MORESBY ALL-STARS 99 (Joel Khalu 44, Michael Paiwan 17)
 
·        CITY ALL-STARS 102 (James Comino 17, Conrad Ahwang 16) def COUNTRY ALL-STARS 90 (Deba George 20, Rowan Gray 17)
 
RESULTS FROM GAMES PLAYED ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 24.
 
·        PORT MORESBY WOMEN 59 (Jenny Evans 13, Nape Waka 9) def CAIRNS SELECT 53 (Brooke Couper 15, Teyla Evans 10)
 
·        CITY ALL-STARS 125 (James Comino 23, Reece Craigie 21) def PORT MORESBY ALL-STARS 81 (Wally Parapa 14, Sibona Kala 14)
 
·        COUNTRY ALL-STARS 99 (Curt Ahwang 19, Deba George 18) def ZENADTH KES KUSTODIANS 71 (Gabriel Bani 22, Francis Loban 15)
 
RESULTS FROM GAMES PLAYED ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 25.
 
·        CAIRNS SELECT 66 (Ashley North 23, Teyla Evans 19) def PORT MORESBY WOMEN 61 (Jenny Evans 22, Gladys Atkins 14)
 
·        CITY ALL-STARS 121 (Brian Walsh 23, Travis Thorne 22) def ZENADTH KES KUSTODIANS 85 (Bali Satrick 22, Conwell Bani 12)
 
·        COUNTRY ALL-STARS 120 (Deba George 21, Christy Perks 20) def PORT MORESBY ALL-STARS 20 (Michael Paiwan 26, Wally Parapa 19)

Curt Ahwang – 3-Point Shootout Champion

 Deba George – Slam Dunk Champion

Conrad Ahwang – All-Star MVP

All photos are copyright of Gordon Greaves.
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