IT will be a huge homecoming this Saturday night when Ben Dowdell lines up for the Kennedy Tours Shoalhaven Tigers Waratah State League Basketball team.
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Dowdell will be making his first appearance on an Australian court since returning from university in the United States.
The mechanical engineering major has starred with the Santa Clara Broncos in the NCAA Division 1 college championship and after completing his degree is back in Australia to pursue a career in the NBL (National Basketball League) he will be making a couple of appearances back where it all started with the Tigers.
He will line up against the Bathurst Goldminers at the Tigers Den on Saturday, and then back up on Sunday against the Illawarra Hawks again at the Den.
And there is talk the 6 foot 7 inch power forward may make a few more appearances if his commitments allow before the season is out.
The Australian Institute of Sport graduate has spent four years in the US, has agreed to a short-term contract with the Kennedy’s Tours Shoalhaven Tigers.
And just at the weekend, along with another fellow Shoalhaven junior just returning from the US college system, in Alex Gynes, has been named in the Australian squad for the 26th Summer Universiade (World University Games) in China.
Shoalhaven coach Scott Balsar said Dowdell’s return would be a real boost for the Tigers.
“When I spoke with Ben he was excited about coming home and playing again for his junior club,” Balsar said.
“He spent eight years with the Tigers as a junior, from under 12s right through to 18s and when we approached him he didn’t even have to think about it he gave me a straight yes.
“He sent me his schedule so we could pinpoint the games he could play in.”
With four years playing division one college basketball, Dowdell brings with him a wealth of experience.
And after a worrying form slump in recent weeks which has seen the locals drop from third to fifth on the ladder, Balsar hopes they can turn it all around starting with this weekend’s must-win double header against the Goldminers on Saturday night and the Hawks Sunday morning.
“To gain someone as good as Ben for the Tigers is definitely a plus,” Balsar said.
“Standing at 6 foot 7 inches, he surely will make a difference.
“He posted some pretty good numbers while playing for the Broncos and I’m hoping he can transfer it all back here where it began for him.”
Dowdell’s stats speak for themselves – he averaged 8.2 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game and 1.1 steals per game in 24.7 minutes per game.
He started all 38 games and he broke the school record for games played with 128 while in Santa Clara.
His college is a great school and boasts NBA legends Kurt Ramblis (Phoenix Suns and LA Lakers) and Steve Nash (Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns), a 14-year NBA veteran and dual Olympian for Canada go through the Bronco’s Basketball system.
“Ben will train with us this week on his return to Australia and I’ll work him out in a few individual sessions before he hits the hardwood Saturday night,” Balsar said.
“I have no issues with Ben picking up on our offensive sets or defensive patterns as he comes out of a system where you drink, eat, sleep and breath basketball; he has a great mind for the game and will settle in straight away.”
Even though he is coming home to play a short stint with the Tigers, Dowdell is looking to further his basketball career and has a trip north to have a trial and talks with the NBL Cairns Taipans and Townsville Crocodiles.
The Australian Universities team will be heading to the World Universities Games in July, hosted by Shenzhen in China.
“His schedule is very hectic and tight, so we will obviously be grateful for the handful of games he can play with us in the black and gold,” Balsar said.
Ben is the youngest brother of NBL player Jeff Dowdell, another Shoalhaven product, who has had a long career in the men’s national basketball league, with stints with the Townsville Crocs, Perth Wildcats and most recently the Adelaide 36ers.
His older sister teachers at Vincentia High School and plays netball and both his parents are well known school teachers in the Shoalhaven.
“Bill and Anne and are very happy to have Ben finally home after six years of being independent, although they tell me they won’t be real happy with their food bill as its going to increase considerably on his return,” Balsar joked.
The Tigers’ next home games are this Saturday and Sunday when they will take on the Bathurst Goldminers and the Illawarra Hawks.
Fans are being given the chance to win the best seats in the house again this weekend.
You and three of your mates can be seated in the comfort of two lounge chairs courtside and be catered with finger food and light refreshments.
Keep your ears listening to Elle and Ricardo and Adam Straney in the mornings from 6am to 9am on 94.9 Power FM and 2ST for your chance to win the Tigers’ best seats in the house.
Tip off at the Tigers Den is 6pm against Bathurst and 11am against the Hawks.
Don’t miss out on your chance to be a part of the half-time action, where we will be giving away a prepaid mobile phone thanks to Yes Optus Batemans Bay. Doors open at 5pm.
Tickets $5 adult $3 child.
To catch up with all the news on the Kennedy’s tours Tigers go to www.shoalhaven.basketball.net.au or purchase a copy of the Monday and Friday editions of the South Coast Register.
