Anonymous
Years ago
Funny Da Wood goes 5-0 in Singapore
On Tuesday the 20th of September 10 lucky players from the 2005 championship winning Warriors left Adelaide soil and flew into Singapore to play five friendly matches against the national side. Tracy York, ex coach of Woodville, hooked us up, she has some high profile job with the Singapore team, and wanted to get them some game practice before they went to the Asian Nationals. Unfortunately, Singapore didn't quite make it to the Nationals, they were refused entry, so they were a bit down (they had been training for 2 years, 5 nights a week, and to be a bit upset is understandable) but that didn't bother Da Wood, we were here to play and here to win!
We had a training session on day one. If you didn't know, Singapore is pretty close to the equater, so it's pretty damn hot around here. We walked into a pretty nice stadium only to discover there was about 4 fans on the wall and no air conditioning. Needless to say we got pretty hot. The courts actually became quite slippery because we were all sweating so much, and the muscley ones had the oppurtunity to flex their pecs and take their singlets off, which only made matters worse. We played a game that night, it was I think about 30c odd, and it was ridiclously humid and still hot even though it was 8 oclock. We won our first game, 64-55. Top scorers/stat getters were Zane Reeves with 15 and 5, Andrew Puddifoot with 15, 4 and 5 steals, and Camera Wilson 10, 4, 4 and 2. The scoring was pretty spread around, everyone made sure everyone got involved and looked to pass (well apart from Reeves) and we pretty much had the game won with about 5 minutes left, they couldn't get back into the game.
Free time! The next day we were able to look around the beautiful city that is, Singapore. Immediately we headed to Orchard Road, which is the main street of Singapore (sort of like Rundle Mall) and they had thousands of shops there. We headed to the 'markets' which is like the Flea Markets, but with electronic goods. There was seriously about 100 electronic shops crammed into this little underground place, how they all survived I don't know. I wanted an Ipod from the trip, Gary Glitter wanted a PSP, and others wanted a bargain so we looked around. I highly suggest, if you want peace of mind after buying an expensive electronic item, that you DONT shop in the underground markets. It was so dodgy. I was offered a $400 ipod, and the stall just across from that one, I was offered a $570 ipod. I didn't buy one, Gary bought a PSP and got a free game with it, the moron left the game in the console.
We had another game that night, so we didn't stay too long, we went back and got some rest. We won the 2nd game, 69-64, a closer affair, but again we held control for the final minutes. Top stat getters were Luke Mapunda with 18, Pudds had 17, 4, 4 and 5, and Camera had 15, 7, 4, and 4. Not bad for a short ass.
Another game the next night, I can't remember what we did that day, probably went back to Orchard road. Anyway, we blew this one out (finally) winning by 25, 74 to 49. I started this game for the first time, and kept them scoreless until I was subbed off. We finished the quarter 18-3, they made a semi-run in the 2nd but were never in it. Stat getters were Gary Birmingham with 16, Camera with 13, Reeves had 10, 8 and 4 (yeah he actually passed this game) Fuller had his best with 6, 2 and 2, and because I played so well as a starter, I'm putting my stats down as well, 7, 2, 2, 3 and 1. It's all about the defense, baby.
We had some time off now, except for a couple of coaching clinics we had to run as part of the deal Tracy set up. The first one was run by KB, Greg Brevington, Lyall Gilette and myself, was a youth one, which was pretty fun, I think the kids learnt a bit. The second one was a coaching clinic which we all helped out by running offenses and whatnot. The team went to Hooters :-D and we basically just relaxed and had a good time. We also discovered Starbucks, and collectively the team must of had about 50 frappacinos, not bad when they are $6.40 each. I'm still addicted to them, I have no idea what I'm going to do when I get back to Adelaide.
Anyway, game 4, was another blow out but they made a late run to close it out 70-58. Mapunda had 12 and 3, Pudds had 12, 5 and 4 steals, Cam had 11 and 4 assists, Lyall had 2, 2 and 3 steals (in only 17 mins) and Adam Miller had 8, 2 and 2. He's a defender so he doesn't get much stats, solid player however,
Game 5 we just played, Fuller was injured in game 4 so KB escorted him to the hospital and Beav coached us. He played the benchies a lot, letting Pudds, Cam and Mapunda to get some rest. It was a close one 74-71, some of us losing our temper throughout due to some... auspicious referee calls. Stats were Gary glitter with 18 and 4 (only 1 assist though) Reeves with 14 and 5, I had 10 and 8, Pascoe had his highest scoring game of the tournament, he had 4 and 5 assists, Lyall had 9 and 3, and Pudds, bloody hell, in 16 mins had 6 pts and 4 steals.
So that's it, a not so comprehensive guide to our Singapore trip. We should have full stats up soon I think, if anyone cares enough to have a look. I'd like to thank Tracy York a million times for setting up this unbelievable opportunity, it wasn't only a basketball trip, it was a holiday in a beautiful country. I'd like to thank the Singapore players as well, for having us and putting up with us, they're real good blokes.
KB and Ryan Willis
