GPS Basketball’s form guide; key players and road ahead
In our comprehensive GPS First V Basketball team form guide, we reveal the 20 key players and the road ahead of round 7.
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As we approach the back end of the season with round 7 going down this Saturday, we peer at the road ahead, run our eyes over the form guide and name some key players.
After round 6 thrillers, where three games were decided by a combined six points, an intense round 7 looms with a heavyweight clash between Brisbane SHS and The Southport School at Southport the prime fixture.
So, with only three games remaining in the season, check out the form, guide, key players and road ahead for all nine teams.
TOP 25: THE STANDOUTS FROM ROUND 6 OF GPS BASKETBALL
BRISBANE STATE HIGH SCHOOL
WIN-LOSS 5-0
Despite the losses of Mason Amos and Jalen Blanchard, State High have made a statement to the competition from round 1 that the Red Blue and White’s were still the team to beat with five consecutive victories.
At full strength, the State High lineup looks unbeatable, but how they will tackle the adversity of having players out presents itself as their biggest challenge on their way to premiership glory.
KEY PLAYERS:
Jimmy Ellis:
Ellis has established himself as the rock in his team. He has been everything and more for coach Kris Robinson and his best is needed this week against Southport.
Elijah Kamu:
State High are going to want Kamu in beast mode to finish off the season. When he’s on his game, so is State High— his physicality and defensive presence the game changer.
ROAD AHEAD
Southport (away)
Toowoomba Grammar (home)
Churchie (home)
PREDICTED RESULTS: 1 loss
THE SOUTHPORT SCHOOL
WIN-LOSS 4-1
Southport’s only blemish came at the hands of Toowoomba Grammar in round 3. Despite this, they still have a part to play in the premiership battle.
Coming up against Brisbane State High this Saturday is make or break. Should we really be surprised if they pull it off?
KEY PLAYERS:
Jack Foley:
If Foley takes responsibility for scoring then it makes it a lot easier for the main men Jaylen Pitman and Ben Tweedy.
He can shoot there’s no doubt about it. So if he starts hot in this weekend’s clash then Brisbane State High will have to hold out multiple scoring options, which will prove a handful.
Ben Tweedy:
Southport needs Tweedy to come out confident. They need to allow him to get his shot going because once he does there’s no stopping him.
There’s no use Tweedy coming to play when it is too late, so if he can get his shot falling in the first quarter then Southport will be hard to beat.
Jaylen Pitman:
Pitman has to stick to his guns. That’s where he is most effective.
With slashes to the cup he can drop 25 points that to State High only feel like 10. He will be the one to blow a lead from two to ten.
ROAD AHEAD
Brisbane State High (home)
Gregory Terrace (home)
Ipswich Grammar (away)
PREDICTED RESULTS: 0 losses
TOOWOOMBA GRAMMAR SCHOOL
WIN-LOSS 5-0
You can’t ignore the record.
Despite such a young core with limited First V experience, they’ve got the job done every week.
They’ve got a tough road home but if their round 6 win was their last of the season coach Kabe Ciciolini would be proud.
KEY PLAYERS:
Samuel Geu:
The revelation of the season goes to this 2.01cm giant, who as a Year 10 is playing his second year of First V Basketball.
He’s a double double machine, who has filled the stat sheet week in, week out.
Tawana Ngorima:
Although he is not the tallest, Ngorima still makes his presence known in the interior.
His trademark floater and crisp jumper will need to be in full effect in the last three games of the season if Toowoomba want to win it all.
ROAD AHEAD
Brisbane Grammar (away)
Brisbane State High (away)
Gregory Terrace (home)
PREDICTED RESULTS: 2 losses
BRISBANE GRAMMAR SCHOOL
WIN-LOSS 0-5
Although their record doesn’t show it, Brisbane Grammar are one talented team.
They’ve been awfully close in more than just one game. In fact, they could be 3-2 but due to the quality of the teams in the competition, they haven’t been able to get a result.
With a pinch more experience and execution, they could have beaten Nudgee, Ipswich and even Gregory Terrace if they kept their lead.
Regardless, the season has been a success.
KEY PLAYERS:
Lachlan Curtin:
Curtin has been inspiring all season. And when he has Lebron Brooks on his side they are one of the best duos in the competition.
Max Balthes:
Balthes is a baller. He’s a brilliant point guard with plenty in his locker.
One of coach Dan George’s most reliable. You know what you are going to get.
Lebron Brooks:
Brooks is the current if not next up star of the competition. In just Year 10, you can only imagine how dominant he will be in his senior year.
Who knows. Maybe his 25 point games will turn into 40 point games.
He’s exciting.
ROAD AHEAD
Toowoomba Grammar (home)
Churchie (away)
BBC (away)
PREDICTED RESULTS: 2 losses
GREGORY TERRACE
WIN-LOSS 4-1
The Gregory Terrace First V are a well coached team. On multiple occasions this season they have been down big deficits and have been able to claw back to win.
It’s a combination of coach Mathew Hamilton-Smith and the talent across the board his team possesses.
Do not count them out.
KEY PLAYERS:
Nazar Angallo:
Angallo’s defense is unrivalled. On Saturday, he got a steal which helped Terrace avoid an upset loss against Ipswich. Then again, there’s no such thing as an upset in this competition, with every team capable of beating anyone on their day.
Paul Papacostas:
Papacostas is dominant in the paint and sharp shooting for a centre. He will put in a big three games from him to close out the season.
Tama Tuhi:
Gregory Terrace reach a new level when Tuhi is firing. They can feed off his rhythm and if that’s the case, they can beat Southport and Toowoomba.
ROAD AHEAD
Nudgee (home)
Southport (away)
Toowoomba (away)
PREDICTED RESULTS: 1 loss
BRISBANE BOYS COLLEGE
WIN-LOSS 0-6
Much like Brisbane Grammar, BBC haven’t had their way in terms of winning. But, as their two point loss against Toowoomba suggests, they have the tools for success.
Toowoomba is one of two teams left unbeaten in the competition, and they almost beat them. BBC have been unlucky this year, as with their First XV rugby team. They are talented, but it’s a cutthroat competition.
KEY PLAYERS:
Daniel Graham:
Graham will strengthen his case as the main man for BBC moving forward. The Year 10 has done the crest proud this year, standing up as a youngster and delivering more and more each week.
Jared Gluch:
Captain Gluch will be giving it all for the Green and Black jersey to close out season 2022. It hasn’t been BBC’s year but he will be encouraging his team to close it out with two wins.
Emerson Juhasz:
Juhasz is a powerhouse. If last week’s 30 point performance is anything to go off then he can give BBC the ending they deserve.
ROAD AHEAD
Churchie (away)
Brisbane Grammar (home)
PREDICTED RESULTS: 2 losses
IPSWICH GRAMMAR SCHOOL
WIN-LOSS 2-4
Jason Ralph’s boys have been hot and cold this season. They could easily be 4-2. They looked to have Terrace dealt with on Saturday but overtime had other ideas.
But, young gun Tristan Afamasaga has shown glimpses of what he will be able to do for Ipswich in the future.
KEY PLAYERS
Fletcher Doyle:
Doyle is a natural talent. He’s athletic and can find his stroke in a matter of minutes.
Once he sees shots fall, he will shoot with confidence and be an efficient and reliable scorer. He’s had a great season and will give it his all in Ipswich’s last two of the season.
James Pearson:
Pearson is the other half of Ipswich’s damaging duo. His trademark drive to the cup is up there with the best. Expect Pearson will put up at least 50 points in Ipswich’s last two.
ROAD AHEAD
Nudgee (home)
Southport (home)
PREDICTED RESULTS: 1 loss
NUDGEE COLLEGE
WIN-LOSS 2-4
Nudgee College have been an ever improving force in the competition. Nate Scott, a Year 12 leader, has been an exciting prospect.
They started slow, but have since picked up the pace and challenged the best of the best.
KEY PLAYERS:
Nate Scott:
Scott has been sensational all season long.
It’s a pity he graduates this year. But, Nudgee has a few boys in waiting—Year 10’s Tyson Warren and Rylan Carlisle.
If they take a leaf out of Scott’s playbook, they will be destructive in years to come.
Joaquin Tulloch:
Tulloch will need to fire if Nudgee wants to finish off the season strong. He’s a big piece of their rotation, holding down the point guard position for the best part of 40 minutes.
He truly has everything in his locker. Shots just need to fall for him.
ROAD AHEAD
Gregory Terrace (away)
Ipswich Grammar (away)
PREDICTED RESULTS: 1 loss
CHURCHIE
WIN-LOSS 2-3
Churchie have been strong this season. Drew Summerfield’s boys should be very proud of themselves.
In every game they have lost, it has been close. Although the score lines sometimes don’t reflect it, they have not been an easy opposition.
KEY PLAYERS:
Caleb Cronn:
Cronn just needs to be aggressive. If he is, then he will rack up 20 easy. He’s also been excellent at facilitating his teammates this season.
Kurt Siwek:
Siwek has been faultless this season, he just needs to see more of the ball. He can’t be tamed in the paint.
Churchie is a better team when Siwek is on the floor.
ROAD AHEAD
BBC (home)
Brisbane Grammar (home)
Brisbane State High (away)
PREDICTED RESULTS: 1 loss
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