Sunshine Coast Basketball: USC Rip City trio shine in NBL1 North competition

An NBL forward, college star and floor general are proving crucial to a thriving roster for USC Rip City as they hunt championship glory. SEE THE DETAILS

An NBL forward, college star and floor general are among a thriving roster pushing USC Rip City towards some dominant highs in the state league.

The Sippy Downs-based club currently sit fifth on the 14-strong NBL1 North ladder, with games in hand, as they enter the final six rounds of the regular season.

The men’s team have since enjoyed a five-game winning streak since losing their opening two games, with triumphs over fellow frontrunners to boot.

“The guys are playing really well and we’re producing really good performances, particularly defensively and it’s held us in good stead up to this point,”coach Nathan Arousi said.

But Arousi said his charges were bracing for a jam-packed few weeks after having their latest game rescheduled due to Covid-19 restrictions.

“We’ve got three double headers in a row,” Arousi said.

“The next three weeks are season defining to be fair.

He said his team would be in a good place if it could come through the tight schedule unscathed.

“You have to beat everyone, anywhere on any given occasion in order to win a championship so we need to rise to the challenge,” he said.

They’ll tip-off the run in the hardest way possible, hitting the court at home against the undefeated Logan Thunder on Friday before travelling south to play Red City Roar on Saturday.

While pleased with the team’s efforts week to week, Arousi was quick to laud the efforts of a dynamic trio including Brisbane Bullets forward Tanner Krebs, college powerhouse Kyle Zunic and captain and Coast product Isaih Tueta.

“We’ve pulled those guys (Krebs and Zunic) in as marquee players to join our group and since they've come in they really haven’t put a foot wrong,” he said.

Here’s what Arousi had to say about the trio:

Tanner Krebs in action for the Bullets during the NBL Pre-Season match between the Brisbane Bullets and the South East Melbourne Phoenix. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

TANNER KREBS

(Third in NBL1 North for points, averaging 28.75 a game. He’s nailed 27/33 free throws, 12/38 threes and 26/47 from inside the arc.)

“Tanner is exceptional, he’s an enormous talent and the transition to our team has been really seamless,” Arousi said.

“He wants to win, he’s extremely competitive and he’s bought into the system.

“The guys love playing with him and he loves being part of our team and I guess it’s really set him up to be an MVP player for the season and at the moment I would have thought he’d be leading that race.”

KYLE ZUNIC

(Averaging 16.75 points per game, 3.50 assists, 6.25 rebounds, and 37.50 per cent at the free throw line.)

“Zunic has finished a pretty decorated college career,” Arousi said.

“He’s been a great, high energy and high intensity defensive athlete.

“He’s got lots of offensive weapons too but his work ethic and defensive intensity is excellent and I’d call it NBL level in my opinion.

“I think he’s going to get an opportunity over the next couple years to play in the national league and he thoroughly deserves one.”

Rip City's Isaih Tueta. Picture: Patrick Woods

ISAIH TUETA

(Averaging 21.14 points, 5.85 assists, 5.71 rebounds and 54.37 per cent at the free throw line).

“Izzy is our captain and has been our floor general for five years now,” Arousi said.

“He’s probably been a top three point guard in the league for all of that period.

“He’s been exceptional and by bringing other high level talent players into the group it allows him to take less of a load and allows him to play his natural game and doesn't have to worry about doing a number of tasks and can focus on his own game.

“He’s having an outstanding season and is really enjoying it having Tanner and Kyle sharing the backcourt with him.”