Milton Gets Jackies Jumping

Monday, October 10, 2022

The NBL may have seen the arrival of its newest star on Sunday afternoon

The NBL may have seen the arrival of its newest star on Sunday afternoon after Tasmania guard Milton Doyle exploded to lead his team to a narrow overtime win against the Brisbane Bullets.

Doyle was something of a lone hand in the first half for the struggling JackJumpers and was almost single-handedly responsible for keeping them within striking distance at half time. Then in the third quarter he finally got some extra help.

He finished the game with 32 points and six assists in a game-high 42 minutes of playing time.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Milton Doyle is getting things moving for the <a href="https://twitter.com/JackJumpers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JackJumpers</a> - he's getting them back in this one on both ends ?<br><br>Watch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> live on 10 Peach and 10play <a href="https://t.co/DIWaS8z6fG">pic.twitter.com/DIWaS8z6fG</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1578954812544405505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“He (Doyle) was fantastic,” head coach Scott Roth said. “We had said the last two or three games he just needs to see the ball go in because he was getting some quality looks, and I think getting his feet underneath him he did start to see the ball go in.

“When the ball goes in for him he’s quite creative off the dribble, he’s very locked in with passing the ball. I thought everyone was good.

“I feel good. I’m really happy for these guys because like I’ve said all along and I continue to say, we have high character guys that are just trying to build culture, do the right thing and play the right way. It’s a next man up kind of mentality.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/BrisbaneBullets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BrisbaneBullets</a> led by 16 in the second quarter... they lead the <a href="https://twitter.com/JackJumpers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JackJumpers</a> by 1 at three quarter time thanks to tough plays like these ?<br><br>Watch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> live on 10 Peach, 10play and Kayo Freebies - YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS ONE <a href="https://t.co/HqkcAjcQpo">pic.twitter.com/HqkcAjcQpo</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1578964685868896256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Doyle’s hot streak and extra use of the ball once again resulted in reduced minutes for fellow import guard Josh Magette.

Magette quickly became the face of the JackJumpers franchise last season by representing everything about their highly thought of culture.

But he spent significant time on the bench for much of the second half and overtime, with development player Sean MacDonald being trusted to play more minutes than the veteran.

“‘Jet’ didn’t play most of the second half and he’s on the sideline cheering – it just shows you the character of the group we have. I think that’s the foundational piece of this franchise moving forward,” Roth said.

“The difference from last year is everyone is the same. There's no selfishness, there's no pouting - and those are the kinds of things that will destroy a team. It was great credit to Jet to be there cheering and talking and coaching in the huddles.”

Across his first three games in the NBL, Doyle had threatened to put together a breakout performance like he did against the Bullets.

After winning a head-to-head shootout with renowned shooter Tyler Johnson – who himself finished with 24 points and hit six of seven threes – he sees no reason why he can’t replicate his heroics.

“It feels great. I think we’ve been working so hard so it feels good to get the win,” Doyle said.

“I got a couple of good looks each game but some of them were in and out. Now seeing the ball go in, hopefully it keeps going in and it keeps me rolling.

“I think everybody hopes for a game like this where you get hot, score a couple of points, a 30-point game is unbelievable for a lot of people so if I can keep it going it’ll be great, hopefully.”