JackJumpers start to find their best in win over Illawarra

The JackJumpers are now two wins from two games on this current four game road trip after dropping the opening game of the season to Melbourne United off the back of major concerns of the rebound and foul column.

Roth said it is something they will continue to work on.

“We’re definitely finding our identity as far as the things we’ve concentrated on and continue to harp on which is our defence and making sure that’s stable,” Roth said.

“And off of that we can build into what we are doing offensively and we like to score the ball a little bit more in general but zeroed in on a few things that we think allows Tyger (Campbell) and Bryce (Hamilton) to get into their sweet spots and try to use their skill level.

“Then you sprinkle in Jok (Majok Deng) and (Josh) Bannan and these other guys who are doing their thing.

“We’ve kind of shrunk our playlist in one sense and kind of keep things as simple especially early on so we’re just trying to execute the best we can with what we have in front of us.”

The games against Perth and Illawarra, the JackJumpers have won the offensive rebound count after dropping -12 in the opening game, while both road games saw Tasmania give less fouls than fouls drawn.

Imports Bryce Hamilton (21 points, six rebounds) and Tyger Campbell (17 points, four rebounds, four assists) led the JackJumpers to their second win of the season.

The back-to-back wins puts the JackJumpers into second spot and will now head to Brisbane to take on the Bullets next Saturday October 4.

Roth said he took a leaf out of AFL premiership coach Chris Fagan’s handbook.

“AFL I understand, not so much the strategy but I understand relentlessness and I understand the way they attacked their game,” Roth said.

“We talked about that with our players about just showing up, being aggressive in the wear down factor I thought Fagan’s team was fantastic in that area and that’s what (Craig) Bellamy hangs his hat on over there with his group.

“They are quite the reflection of what we had, Chris was with us last year for a few days and our staff went and visited over there also when I was gone in the summer.

“They are great guys to have around and a great sounding boards for us.”

JackJumpers lose US import to practice injury

— James Bresnehan

JackJumpers import David Johnson will miss at least the next four weeks of the NBL season with a calf injury as the JJs head to Wollongong to take on reigning champion Illawarra Hawks on Saturday night.

The club’s new American guard, who is here on a one-year contract, strained a calf muscle as the Jackies prepared for their biggest test of the season so far.

In a statement on Friday, the JackJumpers said: “Johnson suffered the injury at practice this week and will not travel to Illawarra to face the Hawks on Saturday.

“He will be replaced in the team by Brody Nunn in round two.”

In an interrupted start to his campaign for Tasmania, Johnson was unwell leading into the JackJumpers’ opening game against Melbourne United at MyState Bank Arena on September 18.

He played in that game, a 84-88 loss to United, and two days later in the win over the Wildcats in Perth.

Before the United game, Johnson said the Australian competition would be a challenge.

“The league from top to bottom is a tough schedule, everyone’s filled with great players, so we’ve got to get out there and play,” he said.

“From day one I’ve felt welcome, and everyone else around here feels the same. I spend more time with them than I do by myself, so it’s fun.”

Johnson said he had worked on his “conditioning and shooting” in the lead up to his debut with the JackJumpers.

“That’s something I feel like I can bring to the table, to be a great defender for this team and knocking down shots and guarding the best player on the other team.”

james.bresnehan@news.com.au

Originally published as JackJumpers start to find their best in win over Illawarra