NBL talents, premiership winners lead Terrace’s best GPS Basketball team of all-time

NBL talents and premiership heroes feature as Gregory Terrace’s best ever GPS basketball team is revealed. SEE WHO MADE IT

Queensland’s next generation of stars and some old school fan favourites lead the St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace best GPS basketball team of all-time.

Although the Brisbane school is now a powerhouse of the competition, Terrace went without success for more than 15 years before breaking a premiership hoodoo in 2019.

But it was special athletes such as former NBL player Blair Smith and then the likes of Andrew Latimer, Matt Roberts and Matthew Hamilton-Smith who set the standard decades ago for the new breed of Terrace basketballers, including Max Mackinnon, Geordan Papacostas and David Eltima to follow.

As The Courier-Mail tips-off our GPS basketball coverage and following on from last week’s revealing of the best GPS team of all-time from The Southport School, here is St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace best team.

See who made it below:

STARTERS

Andrew Latimer during his time with the Brisbane Bullets. Picture: Scott Campbell/

Andrew Latimer – Centre

A dominant big man, who stands at taller than seven-foot in the old scale, Latimer moulded his skills at St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace before going on to bigger and better things later in his career. Latimer then went on to spend time in the NBL with the Brisbane Bullets and also was one of the Queensland state league’s best big men, mainly for the Brisbane Capitals.

Blair Smith playing for the Melbourne Tigers in 1995.

Blair Smith – Forward/Centre

The late, great Blair Smith will go down in history at a number of clubs and associations and it’s no different at Gregory Terrace. The talented big man, who could do it all at both ends of the floor and was known for his incredible work ethic, showcased his skills at the GPS powerhouse and was also an Australian representative at the junior level. Smith then became an important role player at the NBL for the Brisbane Bullets as well as the iconic Melbourne Tigers teams featuring the likes of Andrew Gaze and Lanard Copeland. Unfortunately, Smith died in 2018 in Gladstone.

Mick Young – Guard/Forward

A talented guard/forward who represented Queensland South throughout his junior career, Mick Young had a successful GPS career with Gregory Terrace before also putting together an impressive resume at the senior level. Young went on to play QBL for Northside and SEABL for Bendigo and was on the border of reaching the NBL.

Former Terrace star Max Mackinnon. (Image Sarah Marshall)

Max Mackinnon – Guard/Forward

The son of Australian basketball legend Slammin’ Sam Mackinnon, Max Mackinnon made a name for himself at Gregory Terrace. The versatile and lengthy guard, who can play multiple positions on the court, helped lead the school to its first GPS premiership in 16 years in 2019 after Terrace were named joint premiers with Churchie. Mackinnon has since earned a scholarship to the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence and is also representing Queensland at the National Under-20 Championships this weekend.

Former Terrace guard David Eltima. (Image Sarah Marshall)

David Eltima – Guard

A lightning fast and exciting guard who, along with Mackinnon and Geordan Papacostas, led Terrace to its drought-breaking premiership in 2019. Eltima starred in the GPS competition along with the State Championships and has now progressed into senior basketball as part of the NBL1 North squad for the powerhouse Brisbane Capitals.

BENCH

Terrace star big man Geordan Papacostas. (AAP Image/Josh Woning)

Geordan Papacostas – Centre

A rare talent at the centre position, Papacostas is a big man with a bright future ahead of him. Still with one more season left with Terrace, Papacostas already has a long list of impressive achievements on his resume having taken the school to the 2019 GPS premiership, representing Queensland South at the National Championships, winning several state championship medals and being selected as part of Australian junior squads.

Alex Barker – Forward

A no-nonsense forward who was known for his toughness, Alex Barker is another Gregory Terrace product that not only had an impressive GPS career but also went on to have a successful senior career with the Brisbane Capitals. Barker was a part of the Capitals side, who played in several QBL grand finals series under coach Geoff Tarrant in recent years.

Matt Roberts – Forward

Matt Roberts was a key part of the Gregory Terrace undefeated premiers in 1997, alongside Hamilton-Smith and Latimer. The hardworking forward helped lead the star-studded Terrace side to a title before enjoying a long and successful career at the senior level with the Brisbane Capitals.

Former Terrace player now coach Matthew Hamilton-Smith.

Matt Hamilton-Smith – Guard

A man with a long history of involvement at Gregory Terrace, the current head coach has been a part of premierships for the school as both a player in 1997, when they went undefeated, and as a coach in 2019. Hamilton-Smith has also represented Queensland South at junior national tournaments and also had a successful career in the Queensland state league, where he was part of the Brisbane Capitals championship-winning side in 2002.

Tom Malloy – Centre

Another talent from the big man stock at Gregory Terrace, Tom Molloy stands well over 213cm, or seven-foot in the old scale. And although he wasn’t able to win a title while at Terrace, Molloy was dominant at the GPS level, using is towering frame and impressive mobility. He then went on to play several years in the QBL with the Brisbane Capitals.

Former NBL player and Terrace GPS basketball coach Luke Gribble.

Coach: Luke Gribble

A two-time premiership winner in 2000 and 2004, Luke Gribble gets the nod ahead of a long line of impressive coaches to lead Gregory Terrace. Other names include the likes of former NBL coaches Bruce Palmer and Brendan Joyce along with the legendary Steve McLeod, who played in the NBL for the Brisbane Bullets.