BRAD COLE THE ADVOCATE The North-West Thunder will be looking to farewell one of its rising stars in style on Saturday night in its must-win NBL1 clash against Geelong at Ulverstone.
Shooting guard Tre Armstrong will be suiting up for the final time before heading off to the US next week to begin his college career with California Baptist University.
As the farewell date has been getting closer, it has been mixed emotions for the 19-year-old, but he is planning on leaving everything out on the floor against the Supercats or for Wynyard in next week’s NWBU preliminary final.
“It would be nice to finish off the year with the guys on a high,” Armstrong said.
“Obviously leaving them halfway through a season isn’t ideal but at the same time it’s a huge opportunity to go this early in preparation for the college season – being there over the summer in the US will help me develop and have a good freshman year.
“There has been some thought of not wanting to get injured while I’m here, but the Thunder and Wynyard have been my complete priority and I’m not going to hold anything back for both sides over the next few days.
“I’ve been a little bit injured and sick over the past two weeks, but I’m fully recovered now and hopefully I can come out and play well for the team.”
The Thunder (5-6) may just need another big game from Armstrong, who is averaging 16 points per game this season, as they try and return to the winners list after a win-less two-game road trip last weekend that saw them drop to 13th on the ladder.
But the task will be tough against a fourth-placed Geelong team that possesses a 7-5 record and plenty of scoring options.
Armstrong said having import Nick Banyard back in the line-up after missing the last two weeks due to illness and injury will be a big help.
“We’ve been putting him through his paces this week at training and he’s looking fit and ready to go,” he said.
“He’s really good defensively against the key big men from the other side and he gives us a presence on offence that we’ve lacked while he hasn’t been there.
“Last Saturday we weren’t good but Sunday we responded pretty well and played the right way, especially on defence.
“We’ll focus heavily on that again and if we can keep a team like Geelong to under 80 points, I think our offence can take care of itself.”
Armstrong started the new NBL1 season with a big splash on offence himself, with a three-point barrage seeing him shoot a game-high 32 points against the Southern Sabres which attracted plenty of interest around the competition.
He has found the going a bit tougher since but has been working hard to add extra elements to his game.
“I’ve just got to focus on doing what I can to help us put points on the scoreboard, whether that be with assists or putting it on the floor and doing some different things,” Armstrong said.
“No doubt I’ll get some attention on Saturday so I just have to adjust to whatever they throw at me.
“I’ve been happy with the majority of my play this season and I’ve put in more work than I ever have before which is starting to pay off.
“I feel like I’m in a good spot and ready for college so I can help my team win.”
Saturday’s home game starts at 7.30pm.
