Isaac
Years ago
Ballinger out of Top End Challenge
Prospective Adelaide 36ers captain Adam Ballinger has withdrawn from the Sixers' team contesting the NBL's Pre-season Top End Challenge in Darwin from tonight.Full article
Ballinger, 29 and a 205cm dual-club Most Valuable Player, pulled out with a slight back injury which coach Scott Ninnis was not prepared to risk further.
Instead the Sixers' mentor let fly at Basketball SA for still having its State Basketball League active so close to the NBL tip-off.
"Ours is the only state league still going and it's ridiculous," he said.
The SBL grand final Saturday between Sturt and Norwood will cost Ninnis three key players - Jacob Holmes, Darren Ng (Sturt) and David Cooper (Norwood).
Adelaide already is minus Matt Burston (knee) and Brad Hill (ankle) for the Top End Challenge and now Ballinger. It plays New Zealand tonight.
"It means if we win and again tomorrow, we will be playing the final of this tournament on Saturday with just seven players," Ninnis lamented. "Bear in mind, four of those seven will be Chris Molitor, Shannon Seebohm, Tom Garlepp and Peter Hoban.
Given the missing players, I don't think we'll be able to read much into the 36ers results in Darwin. Great opportunities for the young guys though.