The 2020 Southern Cup Basketball Tournament saw Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) represented by a men’s team from Engawala on the weekend.

Featuring a good mix of youth and experience, the Engawala Men were drawn against six other teams, and made it through to the third and fourth place playoff.  In a close, see-sawing game, the Engawala team lost by only 2 points 20-22, finishing fourth overall.

The team was very competitive throughout the tournament, their only big loss coming at the hands of the reigning champions Tennant Creek, when they went down 23-35.  Even in this game, the team showed their willingness to compete to the end, outscoring Tennant Creek 18-10 in the second half.

The team also played a couple of 3 x 3 games on Saturday morning; however drawn against some of the favoured teams, they did not make it to the 3 x 3 finals.

The team also participated in a community coaching and referee education session on Friday night, with Ian McAdam from the ‘Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks’ Program.

A big thank you to the CDRC Staff who came down on both Saturday and Sunday to cheer the team on, and Central Desert Regional Council look forward to providing intercommunity basketball opportunities in 2021.

Main Photo: The Engawala Men’s team. Back row (left to right): Joseph Tilmouth, Kelvin Neal, Reagan Drover, Owen Ryder. Front row (left to right): Carl Inkamala, Kassidy Bird, Kalem Williams, Justin Tilmouth, Dwayne Bloomfield.

The coaching and referee education session with Ian McAdam.

Nino Tilmouth looking to shoot.

CDRC Children and Youth Services Manager Marlies Coleman supporting the team.