Ling switches focus back to Thunder after 'pretty unreal' NWBU flag

Fast-forward a week later and the 16-year-old helped Penguin triumph against Somerset on Friday, June 7, which he described as rewarding.  "It was pretty unreal. We went back-to-back but I didn't really play much last year. Being in the starting five this year has been cool," Ling said.

With the squad featuring Blues and Heat players, Ling said Thunder coach Sam Armstrong was quick to change the focus ahead of their clash with Sandringham on Saturday, June 15.  "At practise on Monday, Sam Armstrong said it's over now and to switch back on ready for the rest of the season," he said.  "[Somerset's] Isaac [Atuer], Jake [Afoa] and Anok [Magot], we're all teammates at the Thunder so it was hard to just switch back on and love each other again.  But the group that we have at the Thunder is pretty tight. Everyone loves each other so everyone has grouped back together." 

Ling described getting a taste of semi-professional basketball as an "eye-opening" experience.  "I took the role because I thought it was going to be a good development and a learning curve for me," he said. "It's a whole different level - the pace of the ball. You're doing something every second and as soon as you turn off for one-second something's happened.  "Sekou [Sylla] has been helping me out a lot. His work ethic, how he goes about it and everything about him has been good."

Tip off is scheduled for 8pm at Ulverstone Sports and Leisure Centre.