UPDATED: Results of CABL final.
Perseverance paid off for former Bethune-Cookman standout Alexander Starling in his Australian adventure this week.
After his quest to play Australian football was sidelined, and then having the coach who signed him to play basketball dismissed, Starling's resolve – added with his basketball ability – has resulted in him making Central Australian Basketball League (CABL) history for his Woodville Warrior club.
Starling, in addition to being named league MVP by the players, became the first Woodville player to receive the league's highest honor – the Woollacott Medal, voted on by the league's referees to recognize the “fairest and most brilliant player” at the State League level.
He capped off the season with a 36-point, six-rebound effort as the Warrios claimed the CABL championship with an 80-78 win over the West Adelaide Bearcats.
“I understand the history of the award and what it means to Woodville, but I'm still trying to wrap my brain around it,” Starling said. “But anytime you receive such prestigious awards, you're humbled. Thanks to God for blessing me with each and every opportunity to share my blessings with others.”
Starling's original plan started with Australian football – “footy” as it's called down under – after the Sydney Swans signed him as a developmental player. When the Swans released Starling, the Port Adelaide Power picked him up, and he then was invited to play for the Warriors, who are affiliated with the Power by Head Coach Al Green, who would be dismissed mid-season.
Despite that uncertainty off the court, Starling was a constant on the court for the Warriors and found some off-the-court moments as well.
He averaged 19.7 points and 10.7 rebounds during the regular season, finishing third in the league in both categories. He also shot 51.7 percent from the field.
“There were uneasy times,” Starling said. “But I had a great and positive group around me. I just did what a basketball player does – keep playing.”
During the season, Starling hosted a basketball camp for over 100 area youth, and has helped coach basketball and physical conditioning in the Woodville area.
“Alex's on-court ability is only surpassed by his personality off the court, as he has been a fantastic role model for our entire club, especially our up-and coming-juniors, “ said Woodville coach Corey Maclean. “He has quickly been accepted as part of our Warrior family, and we will be forever grateful that he became part of our basketball club.”
After Saturday's championship game, Starling resumes his footy quest. He's also keeping his options open for Australia's National Basketball League, which will be adding four expansion teams in 2015-16.
A three-year starter at B-CU, Starling, the program's seventh all-time leading rebounder, played a key role in the Wildcats' rise to their first-ever Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship and Division I post-season appearance (NIT) in 2010-11. He was the Wildcats' first Division I player to enjoy a winning record in each of his seasons. In his final home game in 2011, Starling stole an inbound pass and hit a bank shot with two seconds remaining in overtime for an instant classic victory over Florida A&M that secured Bethune-Cookman's first 20-win season since 1976-77.
“Alex has always been a hard worker” said B-CU Head Coach Gravelle Craig, who was an assistant during Starling's Wildcat playing days. “Be it basketball or football, he's going to be a success at whatever he does. Looks like he's same the player down under as he was here.”
Woodville trailed the entire game, but managed the victory on Darren Ng's basket with 2.6 seconds remaing. Starling was named game MVP.
