HANGING AROUND: Jeff Dowdell gets some dunking practice at the Tigers’ Den. Photo: CHRIS DOBIE
NBL star and Shoalhaven product Jeff Dowdell has promised local basketball fans a season of action that will “lift the roof off” the Tigers’ Den.
Dowdell will return to the scene of his junior playing days when he takes to the court for the Shoalhaven Tigers as it says farewell to its beloved Tiger’s Den after more half a century.
The former Perth Wildcats, Cairns Taipans, Adelaide 36s and Townsville Crocodiles NBL star has signed a 10 game deal with an all-star Tigers line-up that will mark Shoalhaven’s return to the State Waratah League after a year’s hiatus.
For Dowdell the upcoming season is about giving the Tigers Den the send-off it deserves.
“I have got so many great memories of this place, I played all my junior basketball here,” Dowdell said while gazing around the familiar surroundings.
“It’s going to be sad to see this place go, these floorboards have seen plenty of action over the past 50-60 years.”
Dowdell said every home game the Tigers play this season will be a “must see” event.
“I think we will fill the Den to standing room only, I know the boys will be pumped to give this place the send off it deserves, it’s the reason I’m here.”
The towering power forward will work his Tigers’ games around his Canberra Gunners SEABL commitments and is just one of a number of gun players in a Tigers team that head coach Scott Balsar is describing as the best to ever pull on a black and gold Tigers’ singlet.