Albury-Wodonga Bandits steal the show

FIRST they had it won, then they’d lost it, and then, finally, the Albury-Wodonga Bandits sealed the deal just in the nick of time.

Even when they win it seems, the Bandits just don’t do things the easy way.

The Border club finally emerged triumphant from a close contest, defeating the hot-shooting Sandringham Sabres, 101-100, in a rollicking, drama-filled SEABL encounter at the Lauren Jackson Sports Centre on Saturday night.

Leading by as many as 15 points in the third quarter, the Bandits almost threw it all away in a thrilling final period, trailing 100-98 before import playmaker Jermel Jenkins ultimately settled matters with a spectacular pull-up three-pointer with 2.8 seconds remaining.

The Sabres, who were celebrating mere seconds earlier after Ben Kelly’s triple had given them the lead, were subsequently unable to get a shot off in time, sparking scenes of jubilation from the raucous crowd of almost 900.

With his parents watching proudly from the stands, Jenkins set aside several weeks of poor form to top-score for the Border club with 24 points and six assists.

He was well supported by Nick Payne and Alex Opacic (20 points each) while forward Flenard Whitfield chimed in with a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds.

Bench sparkplug Jack Duck provided several crucial late baskets to finish with 11 points on 4-5 shooting.

For Sandringham, the import combination of John Pichon and Patrick Richard proved a tough cover, with both forwards scoring 22 points.

Bandits coach Brad Chalmers admitted he was worried during Sandringham’s comeback.

“For the most part we were pretty good and then that flat patch again probably comes from being on the losing end of those close ones,” he said.

“I’m sick of seeing teams come in here and shoot high percentages, that’s very frustrating.

“I don’t think it was poor defence, just seems to be one of those gyms that people come into and have shot well.

“When you have a lead like that, I was worried but at the same time, I was trying to say we could get this if we want it.”

The Bandits came to play from the outset, showing a crispness to their offence that had been absent recently.

But Sandringham, like their female counterparts earlier, tied the scores at quarter-time, 25-apiece.

Leading by 12 points with less than eight minutes left, the Bandits seemed secure but the Sabres had other ideas.The arm-wrestle continued before the Bandits made a run to take a 55-45 lead on the back of Jenkins’ buzzer-beater from international waters.

A blistering 13-2 run brought the visitors to within a point before a Duck triple calmed nerves, at least momentarily.

The teams traded baskets in a frenetic final three minutes, neither able to grab the ascendancy until Jenkins’ heroics.

Original Article written by Steve Smith can be found at http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/1637623/albury-wodonga-bandits-steal-the-show/

Ivey McAllister
Full Spectrum Health & Fitness
www.success4you.ws

Sat. July 6, 2013

So we lost yesterdays game and I probably played the worse game of my life. 

I think I went into the game over confident and forced the issue. Didn't really play my game, but I've learned from it. 

Made mistakes and learned from it !!! 

Today was a day off so I just relaxed, took a nice walk around town to clear my head, and went out to lunch with my teammate.

 Today was a good day and tomorrow will be better. 

Feeling good and keeping positive as always !!! 

Hope every one enjoyed there Saturday and yes this weekend I'll be back on my game.

Jermel Jenkins

ALBURY WODONGA BANDITS vs NUNAWADING

 This Friday morning July 5th 2012, @ 4:30 am EST

Round 15

Follow the link below to view the Live Stats

http://www.fibalivestats.com/matches/10/07/15/68/66QonJaSr6Eo/

Happy 4th of July!!

It's so weird being that it's fourth of July and I don't have fire works or any type of celebration here loll. Man do I miss the cookouts, seeing fam, and fire work shows!! Happy 4th of July!!!






Today was probably the best day of the week so far. Woke up for the camp and the kids energy today inspired me to have a great day, it was that good. After camp had a nice lunch and took a nap, lol I was knocked!! Headed to practice after that and practice today went good, and I'm beyond excited and enthused for tomorrow. After practice got invited to a nice dinner and it was delicious, felt like a home cooked meal finally. Also, tomorrow we play NANAWADING and it's going to be a tough one as usual. It's win or go home, and truthfully I'm not ready to go home. I feel good about it anyway, so I'm sure it'll be a good outcome. Wish us luck!!! Headed to bed soon and of course I'm watching my movies until I knock out loll. Hope everyone had a good day...stay positive...stay focused!!! Night world

Jermel Jenkins Jr.

Jermel Jenkins SEABL Photo Slide Show

Here is just a little Slideshow I put together for Jermel. Hope you enjoy it, be sure to Like  & Share this video with family and friends.

Jermel Jenkins Jr. SEABL Slide Show

Ivey McAllister
Full Spectrum Health & Fitness
www.success4you.ws

Jenkins plans on successful Bandits playoffs

JERMEL Jenkins has plans. Big plans.

The electric Bandits playmaker would love nothing more than to guide the reigning SEABL champions back to the post-season.

And it’s not just a matter of making it back to the playoffs, Jenkins wants to lead the Border club to back-to-back titles.

With the Bandits sitting 1½ games out of the South Conference top four, it’s a lofty goal indeed.

But Jenkins — this week’s SEABL People’s Choice award winner — isn’t fazed.

“Absolutely, the goal is to win the championship,” Jenkins said.

“In order to do that, we need to start winning, everyone right now has the mindset ‘win, win, win’ and get to the playoffs.

“I want to bring the best out of the players and myself, so at the end of the season we all can look up in the rafters and see a championship banner.

“I don’t want to say I’m just here for the regular season, I’m here for the regular season, the playoffs and to play in the grand final.”

And when he’s done Jenkins would love to get a crack at an NBL gig.

Sound familiar? It’s a blueprint star guard Jazz Ferguson mapped out last year, with several NBL clubs having scouted the now-Bendigo Brave earlier this season.

Comparisons to Ferguson — just like predecessor Eric Vann found out, to his detriment — have been inevitable on the Border but Jenkins hasn’t heard them and doesn’t care anyway.

“Not at all, I don’t pay attention to comparisons, I’m my own person,” Jenkins said.

Regardless of future ambition, he is loving his time on the Border.

“Absolutely, the whole area is nice and the fans have been great,” Jenkins said.Averaging 21.9 points, 7.3 assists and an impressive 6.1 rebounds per game, Jenkins has already indicated he would love to return for a full season next year.

“I think since I got here, we’re coming together nice and we know our strengths and weaknesses.

“I love getting my team-mates involved; when I do that, it lifts everyone’s confidence.”

Original Article article by Steve Smith can be found at http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/1603347/jenkins-plans-on-successful-bandits-playoffs/

Ivey McAllister
Full Spectrum Health & Fitness
www.success4you.ws

The Bandits Take on Kilsyth in Round 14

This Saturday morning June 29 2012, @ 6:30 am EST

Round 14

Follow the link below to view the Live Stats

http://www.fibalivestats.com/matches/10/07/17/60/2288tMF6Ilw/

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JENKINS CLAIMS THE MEN'S ROUND 13 PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD

It was a landslide in both the men’s and women’s voting this week, with Albury-Wodonga’s Jermel Jenkins and Hobart’s Lindsay Laur the runaway winners.

Jermel and Lindsay now advance to the finals for the People’s Choice Award. The finals of the People’s Choice Award will be held in a knockout format over the duration of the playoffs in August in September.

The players that missed out this week return to the player pool and can be nominations in the upcoming rounds. The winners from this week however are no longer eligible for the weekly nominations.

The Bandits fortunes have begun to shift following the arrival of Jenkins, and he amassed an impressive 80% of the vote this week, well ahead of CJ Massingale (11%) and Ivan McFalin (9%). The women’s competition was just as one-sided: All-Star Lindsay Laur chalked up 71% of the votes, well ahead of heather Oliver (22%) and Kristen Barnes (7%).

Congratulations to Lindsay and Jermel.

Ivey McAllister

Full Spectrum Health & Fitness

www.success4you.ws

original article can be found at http://www.seabl.com.au/index.php?id=257&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=7909&cHash=5d4f065139

Bandits storm home as Thunder falters

It was a night of basketball the North-West Thunder will want to forget.

While the Coastal side still holds fourth place, the loss has left the door wide open for three other clubs sitting a further game back.Presented with the perfect opportunity to further entrench itself in the top-four, the Thunder made everything look difficult in its nine-point loss to Albury-Wodonga, 84-75, at Ulverstone on Saturday night.

The smallest guy on the court, Jermel Jenkins, was the difference on the night.

The 181-centimetre guard shot five 3-pointers on his way to a game-high 25 points.

He also dished off eight assists and gathered five rebounds.

In reply to his great perimeter shooting (5-9), the whole Thunder team could only manage one from 14 attempts.

Jermel Jenkins and fellow import Flenard Whitfield did all the damage for the Bandits in the opening half.

They combined for 34 points to hand Albury-Wodonga a three-point advantage at the long break.

Tom Wright hit 11 points in the second quarter to keep the home side in the contest.

After an even first half, the Bandits obtained their match-winning lead late in the third quarter.

Matthew De Koeyer's bucket from beyond the arc finished off a run of seven unanswered points to help the visitors take a 13-point buffer into the final change.

From there the Thunder never really threatened to make their way back into the match, as Albury-Wodonga registered its sixth victory of the season.

Jenkins and Whitfield scored 25 and 21 points respectively, while teammate Alex Opacic bobbed up when needed to end with 14.

For the Thunder it was a meagre field goal percentage (42 per cent) which was the catalyst for the defeat.

ALBURY-WODONGA 84 d NW THUNDER 75Wright (23 points and four assists) and Eric Gaff (22 points and 11 rebounds) were serviceable in an otherwise poor outing for the club.

Top Scorers -  Albury-Wodonga: J Jenkins 25, F Whitfield 21, A Opacic 14.  NW Thunder:  T Wright 23, E Gaff 22, S Harris 10.  Best - Albury-Wodonga:  J Jenkins, F Whitfield, A Opacic.  NW Thunder: E Gaff, T Wright, B Armstrong

Original Article  Can be found at http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/1591582/bandits-storm-home-as-thunder-falters/?cs=86

Ivey McAllister

Full Spectrum Health & Fitness 

www.success4you.ws

2013 SEABL People's Choice Award

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR JERMEL JENKINS!!! 

THE 2013 SEABL PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD

Lets get our votes in and support this young man!!!!

                  Jermel Jenkins             Ivan McFarlin            CJ Massingale

Voting for the round 13 candidates of the People's Choice Award is now open on our Facebook page.

Click here to go to the SEABL Facebook page and start voting.

Round 13 men's nominations are:

• 
  
• CJ Massingale (Knox) vs Dandenong: 37 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals
• Jermel Jenkins (Albury-Wodonga) vs Hobart & NW Tasmania: 21.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 1.5 steals
• Ivan McFarlin (Bendigo) vs Geelong: 21 points, 21 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks

Ivey McAllister

Full Spectrum Health & Fitness

www.success4you.ws

Still a Chance For Playoffs After Win

THE Albury-Wodonga Bandits closed the gap on their SEABL playoff rivals at the weekend with a creditable split of their Tasmanian road trip.

An agonising overtime defeat to Hobart on Friday night was more than offset with a wire-to-wire win over fellow finals protagonists North West Tasmania the next evening.

The crucial victory over the Thunder enabled the defending champions to improve its record to 6-12 and narrow the Tasmanian club’s advantage to just 1½ games.

Now firmly entrenched in a four-horse race for fourth spot, the Bandits host Kilsyth (7-10) this weekend in a game that could go a long way to determining the Border outfit’s finals hopes.

Coach Brad Chalmers declared the Bandits were still very much alive in the playoff race and said his squad had no intention of going away anytime soon.

“We’re playing really solid basketball, going up against anyone right now we feel really confident,” Chalmers said.

“We’re still gunning for fourth spot, there’s no doubt about that.

“There’s some games where opposition teams have a tough run over the next few weeks and we’ve got head-to-head over a couple of teams above us right now.

“We just have to win games, I think we all understand that now; the margin is really slim.

“We’d love to build some momentum, we need to get three or four on the trot and turn our focus to home, take care of business over the next three or four weeks.”

The Bandits’ win over the Thunder came from a complete team performance, led by import combination Jermel Jenkins (25 points, eight assists) and Flenard Whitlfield (21 points, 12 rebounds).

Chalmers acknowledged he was finally starting to see more consistent signs of the physical, grinding defence that became the Bandits’ hallmark last year.

“Really pleased with everyone’s effort, we stuck to our gameplan,” Chalmers said.

“Defensively, we’re starting to get some reasonable output there and that’s really good.

“If anything we probably should’ve won by a little bit more.

“I thought from start to finish we were on and I think we understand a little bit more clearly the nature of losses now.

“How they impact the rest of our season and we just need to keep finding a way to stay relevant as long as we can and hope other results go our way.”

“Certainly happy to win, probably bittersweet in a way, we should’ve won on Friday too,” he said.While Chalmers was quietly pleased with the win, the coach of the year admitted the gritty defeat to the Chargers might have been one that got away.

“We had a goal in mind and for the most part of both games we were really good.

“Just a couple of key moments in the overtime where we made poor decisions, a couple of turnovers, probably lost us that game. And we got into a hole early, we were down by 11 at one stage.”

Ivey McAllister
Full Spectrum Health & Fitness
www.success4you.ws

Original Article written by Steve Smith can be found @http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/1591816/still-a-chance-for-playoffs-after-win/?cs=12

Bandits vs Chargers

VS

This Friday 21 June 2012, @ 6am EST

Round 13

Follow the link below to view the Live Stats

http://www.fibalivestats.com/matches/10/07/17/46/60b3uU8YsOOTM/

Bandit vs Raider Highlight Video

Knox take a Knocking

THE Albury-Wodonga Bandits kept their flickering SEABL championship defence alive on Saturday with a gutsy 76-67 win over the Knox Raiders.

In a bruising contest at the Lauren Jackson Sports Centre, the Bandits finally unveiled the defensive intensity lacking for so much of this season.

The Border club held the visitors to an anaemic 28 per cent shooting display, with a lopsided foul count and some sloppy play from the Bandits, the only things keeping the Raiders from being blown away.

It was a balanced, if erratic, scoring sheet for the Bandits, Jermel Jenkins and Flenard Whitfield leading the way with 18 and 16 points respectively.

Forward Ben Hollis added a neat double-double of 14 points and 10 boards while captain Nick Payne chimed in with 13 points in the absence of Jack Duck, absent with knee tendinitis.

But it was reserve Michael Watson who had the biggest impact.

The muscular guard scored just two points but harassed reigning league MVP C.J. Massingale into a 3-16 shooting nightmare and gave the Bandits numerous second opportunities with timely offensive rebounds.

Coach Brad Chalmers was pleased with the defensive grit but admitted he was unhappy with the way the Bandits let the Raiders back into the contest late in the game and the standard of refereeing.

“Defensively, we executed pretty well but offensively, we got a bit pick-and-roll centric at times,” Chalmers said.

“But we got some good stuff out of that too, hence why we probably kept going back to it.

“And we didn’t shoot well from the three, which didn’t please me greatly; I thought if we knocked down a few more shots, we’d have opened up the paint a little more.

“Our finishing wasn’t as strong but we got some good looks; there was some good stuff but our offensive flow just wasn’t there.

“The refereeing wasn’t great, to have 37 free throws against you at home, that shouldn’t happen.

“I don’t mind fouls being called as long as they’re called at both ends and we just didn’t get that.”

In a scrappy opening, neither team established much of an offensive rhythm, the Bandits taking a handy 22-14 advantage after the first period.

Some great hustle on the offensive glass allowed the Bandits to open up a 27-16 lead before the Raiders forced their way back into the contest, trailing 40-34 at the long interval.

The Bandits still held a 15-point lead with less than seven minutes left before it all started to unravel.Both teams enjoyed brief patches of good offence in the third quarter but the hosts capitalised best, extending the Knox deficit to 59-44 with 10 minutes to play.

Knox steadily chipped into the Bandits’ lead, cutting the margin to 64-57 as Hollis fouled out during a procession of Raiders to the free throw line.

But the Bandits steadied, and although Massingale finally hit from deep, the Border club held its nerve, Whitfield’s dunk providing the exclamation point on the win.

http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/1576948/knox-take-a-knocking/?cs=10

Bandits vs Raiders

Albury Wodonag Bandits  and the Knox Raiders

 

This Weekend 15 June 6:00am EST

 

For Live Stats use  CLICK LIVE GAME STATS LINK BELOW!!!

LIVE GAME STATS(available at game time)

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Bandits vs Blues

Albury Wodonag Bandits  and the Frankston Blues

 

This Weekend 1 June 6:00am EST

 

For Live Stats use  CLICK LIVE GAME STATS LINK BELOW!!!

LIVE GAME STATS(available at game time)

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Closer, But Still Not Good Enough

  
   

 

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  If you’d told Bandits coach Brad Chalmers his team would win 70 per cent of its key performance indicators against the Hobart Chargers, he would’ve gladly taken it, fairly certain it would mean a win.

 Unfortunately, the Apple Islanders had other ideas. In an entertaining shoot-out at the Lauren Jackson Sports Centre, the visitors ultimately prevailed 94-90 but not before some tense moments late in the fourth quarter.

  With just 12 seconds left and the Chargers clinging to a 92-89 lead, Bandits import Jermel Jenkins was fouled by Deba George on a three-point attempt, sending the New Jersey native to the line to potentially tie the game. But Jenkins was forced to the sidelines with severe cramp, leaving the free throws to his substitute, young guard Jack Duck.

  Much to the dismay of the partisan home crowd, Duck missed the first two attempts, leaving the Bandits agonisingly short of making ground on their SEABL South Conference rivals.

  There were encouraging signs, with new imports Jenkins (23 points, 10 assists) and Flenard Whitfield (24 points, 12 rebounds) showing they’ve found their feet relatively quickly, and the Bandits outplayed the Chargers in almost every major statistical category — except the one that matters most — leaving Chalmers partly satisfied he has the defending champions back on track.

“Overall, pretty pleased, Jermel played pretty well,” Chalmers said. “Flenard was tough around the hoop, did some good things and he’s got more scope than perhaps I thought, so hopefully he can keep that going. “Benny Hollis was good.
“There’s no doubt we’ve turned the corner. “It was frustrating but you just have to put your hand up and say you were beaten by a better team. “It was a high-quality game, from a fan’s perspective it was certainly better than what we’ve been dishing up. “And our chemistry is really good. “I don’t think we could’ve contested much more than we did.”

  With home games against Frankston and fellow conference grand finalist Knox coming up, Chalmers admitted he had seen flashes of promise. His beleaguered squad, despite the loss, are still just two games back from fourth spot. He said probably the difference in the game came when the Bandits “had a four-minute stretch (in the third quarter) where we didn’t shoot well,” Chalmers said.

   “Their ability to make buckets under pressure and our free throw shooting hurt us as well. “Through the course of the game I thought we were very good but Hobart are playing and shooting well, so all credit to them. “So pretty pleased, but disappointed as well. “We started to look like the team of 2012 a little bit, starting to find some form and we just need to get back to playing like we did in the back end of last year.” “We just ran into a pretty hot team, unfortunately. “So pretty pleased, but disappointed as well.

Original Article written by Steve Smith @http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/1528685/closer-but-still-not-good-enough/?cs=10

SEABL Round 10 Wrap Up

                       25 May 2013(Round 10)

 ALBURY-WADONGA BANDITS(90)

                 (Whitfield 24, Jenkins 23)

           
                         

                                            VS

       HOBART CHARGERS(94)
                            (Polk 28, Gregg 21)




  After welcoming two new imports into the league on the road last week, the Albury/Wodonga Bandits returned home to welcome the Hobart Chargers to the Hideout. 

  Having suffered a loss at home the week before against Bendigo, Hobart were out to pull ahead of the pack in their double header weekend. 

  In an intense battle between the two teams, with neither willing to give any ground, Bandits big man Flenard Whitfield showed his talents with 24 points and 12 rebounds while fellow import Jermel Jenkins added 23 points and 10 assists. 

  Brandon Polk top scored for the Chargers with 28 points and 7 rebounds, and Jordan Gregg had 21 points and 9 rebounds to help lead the Chargers to a four point victory over the Bandits, 94-91. 

  Despite the loss, the Bandits have to take what they can from the game – and that is the vast improvement of the team play with the addition of the two new guys. Jenkins is the true point guard that the Bandits needed and Whitfield with a few more games under his belt is proving to be a solid replacement for the injured.

Full article can be found @ http://andthefoul.net/archives/6167

NunaWading vs Albury-Wodonga Final Roll Up

18 May 2013 Game Roll Up

NUNAWADING 75 
(McDonald 16, Cameron 14)

Vs

ALBURY-WODONGA 81 
(Payne 18, Jenkins 16)

  A 28-21 second period helped get Albury-Wodonga over the line in a tight contest against Nunawading on the weekend. Nunawading began the contest well, shooting 58.3% from the field and forcing 5 steals. 

 From there, Albury-Wodonga took hold of the contest, dominated the boards and finished stronger. Coming into the final break, Nunawading were only 1 point down but could only manage 25% from the field in the fourth quarter. Shane McDonald top scored for the Spectres with 16PTS (0-4 from 3), while Simon Conn finished with a double-double; 12PTS/12RBS. 

  Nick Payne, despite going 33.3% from the field and 10% from long range, still finished as Albury Wodonga's top scorer with 18PTS.

Original Info from http://www.seabl.com.au/index.phpid=257&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=7502&cHash=2fd002fb3a