See the players featuring in the QSL grand finals and what a championship means to them
Eight teams will do battle in Basketball Queensland’s QSL championship games but what would a title mean to them? See what each player had to say.
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Four championship banners are on the line as teams do battle in the Basketball Queensland QSL grand finals this weekend.
And while some athletes have made heroic returns to the court after serious injuries, while others just want to win it for their club – a lot is on the line in the final game of the season.
Both QSL Division 1 grans finals will be livestreamed on The Courier Mail website.
But before they hit the court, meet the players set to feature in the QSL grand finals and what a championship would mean to them.
QUEENSLAND STATE LEAGUE 2 MEN’S GRAND FINAL
SUNSHINE COAST PHOENIX
COOPER URQUHART
Position: Centre/Power Forward
Age: 21
Hometown: Sunshine Coast
What would it mean to win the QSL 2 championship? It would mean a lot to win the title for us as a team after the effort we have gone to this season. Northside beat us a few years back in an overtime thriller so we owe them one and I think this is the year.
NOAH BENJAMIN
Position: Point Guard/Wing
Age: 19
Hometown: Noosa
What would it mean to win the QSL 2 championship? Winning a title with this team would be a great achievement however this team has had very high standards all year long and we have been preparing for this game all season long. We had one goal in sight from the beginning and this will be our chance to achieve it, so would obviously be amazing to win a title with a bunch of guys as close as we are as we have so much fun together and help drive each other to the next level.
JACKSON BIRMINGHAM
Position: Guard
Age: 18
Hometown: Noosa
What would it mean to win the QSL 2 championship? It would be great to win a title with these boys with all the hard work been put in over the past couple of seasons and falling short the last couple of years would be a great feeling to finally be on top.
JYE BYRNE
Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 18
Hometown: Sunshine Coast
What would it mean to win the QSL 2 championship? It would mean a lot to me because we have all been mates for so long and now we got a chance to do something big especially on the Sunny Coast.
JACK USAI
Position: Guard/Forward
Age: 20
Hometown: Noosa
What would it mean to win the QSL 2 championship? To win QSL this year for me would mean so much cause it’s my first time playing in a grand final at this level and hopefully all the work the team and I have put in pays off.
SAM WEBSTER
Position: Power Forward
Age: 23
Hometown: Noosa
What would it mean to win the QSL 2 championship? Considering the last few years the boys have come up short, it would mean everything to be able to finally hold up that trophy on our home court.
FLYNN HEATH
Position: PF/C
Age: 17
Hometown: Innisfail
What would it mean to win the QSL 2 championship? Winning this grand final with my team will help myself recognise how much work I have put in the past few years to get to where I am, and knowing to myself that this work is paying off.
MORGAN WILLIAMS
Position: Small Forward/Power Forward
Age: 28
Hometown: Gladstone
What would it mean to win the QSL 2 championship? Winning a title with this team would mean to me that we have proved ourselves worthy of the higher league. Our hard work the last few years has paid off and we earned it the hard way.
JESS HABGOOD
Position: Forward
Age: 25
Hometown: Sunshine Coast, Kawana
What would it mean to win the QSL 2 championship? Having the opportunity to play in a grand final doesn’t happen very often, especially against such fierce competition. Winning the flag would mean the world to our team, constituting our hard work and determination to be the best team we can be.
NORTHSIDE WIZARDS
JORDAN BROOKS
Position: Small Forward/Power Forward
Age: 20
Hometown: Brisbane
What would it mean to win the QSL 2 championship? It would be great to win for my teammates and association knowing how much time and effort everyone has put in this season and how hard they’ve worked.
JOSHUA POTTER
Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 22
Hometown: Werribee, Victoria
What would it mean to win the QSL 2 championship? It would be the right way to cap off seasons of hard work with the Northside Wizards and look to set the tone for the further seasons.
JOSEPH JOHNSON
Position: SG/SF
Age: 30
Hometown: Darwin
What would it mean to win the QSL 2 championship? Everything.
BEN MITCHELL
Position: Point Guard
Age: 22
Hometown: Brisbane
What would it mean to win the QSL 2 championship? We are a very close knit group, so being able to win a title with you’re mates makes it extra special. It would also be a great reward for months of hard work and sacrifice from the players, coaches, and managers.
QUEENSLAND STATE LEAGUE 2 WOMEN’S GRAND FINAL
NORTHSIDE WIZARDS
CHLOE BUCHAN
Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 18
Hometown: Brisbane
What would it mean to win the QSL 2 championship? To win this title would mean a lot for me. This team is like family and to stand alongside them at the end would be achieving our goal which we set at the beginning of the season. I love this team and we have come so far from where we started and with every training session and game we always come together to play our best and hardest basketball.
ALEISHA HOWEY (CAPTAIN)
Position: Point Guard
Age: 25
Hometown: Brisbane
What would it mean to win the QSL 2 championship? It would mean so much to win a this weekend. We have all worked so hard this year to get here, remaining undefeated and to get the gold would be the dream for us and wizards. To inspire others and set ourselves up ready for the next season.
ELLA HOGAN
Position: Small Forward
Age: 19
Hometown: Brisbane
What would it mean to win the QSL 2 championship? Winning this title would be a fantastic way to finish the season, we are a young team with a good handful of players going through Year 12 and 11, uni and full time work so to exhibit their and our coaches hard work and commitment towards this team would make it worthwhile. Win or lose however it’s going to be a fun night.
MOLLY HOGAN
Position: Guard
Age: 19
Hometown: Brisbane
What would it mean to win the QSL 2 championship? It would be a privilege to win this title to showcase the hard work, commitment and heart that our team and organisations continues to put into our game. I am proud to play for Northside Wizards and play alongside an extremely talent team and represent the extraordinary efforts of our coaching staff.
SOUTH WEST METRO PIRATES
COOLA BAUDRY
Position: Forward
Age: 22
Hometown: Rochedale
What would it mean to win the QSL 2 championship? The resilience and passion the group showed to make the GF is amazing.
LILLYANNA EDWARDS
Position: Guard
Age: 17
Hometown: Runcorn
What would it mean to win the QSL 2 championship? We have worked hard all season to earn this chance to win a GF.
SUSAN MCHUGH
Position: Guard
Age: 17
Hometown: Yeronga
What would it mean to win the QSL 2 championship? Great because to do it with these girls and even with Covid to be able to come together the way we have its so exciting we have made it.
SORRELL COOPER
Position: Forward
Age: 22
What would it mean to win the QSL 2 championship? Proud to join the squad part way through the season and contribute to its success.
SHAYLEE COULTER-FAAMAFU
Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 18
CHARISMA DE ST LAUVENT
Position: Guard
Age: 18
Hometown: Alexandra Hills
What would it mean to win the QSL 2 championship? Great to make the GF with such a difficult season.
GRACE BOYD
Position: Guard
Age: 18
Hometown: Highgate Hill
What would it mean to win the QSL 2 championship? Happy with the team’s development after dealing with the loss of two key players and proud of how the team has grown together.
ALANAH MANUMALEUGA
Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 17
Hometown: Gaven
What would it mean to win the QSL 2 championship? Proud and confident that this team would make it through to the last game.
CHLOE BUTCHER
Position: Power Forward
Age: 17
Hometown: Mansfield
What would it mean to win the QSL 2 championship? Great to do it with this group who I have been with for three seasons, excited with this result.
VANESSA GABRIEL
Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 20
Hometown: Parkinson
What would it mean to win the QSL 2 championship? Happy to play my part in this team and make it through to the grand final.
KRISTY-LEE FARLEY
Position: Power Forward
Age: 18
Hometown: Calamvale
What would it mean to win the QSL 2 championship? Great to see the hard work and dedication showed by the girls to reach the GF.
TELESIA MANUMALEUGA
Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 21
QUEENSLAND STATE LEAGUE 1 MEN’S GRAND FINAL
BRISBANE CAPITALS
ETHAN TAAFE
Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 18
Hometown: Brisbane
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? As a first year Brisbane Capital, I want nothing more than to bring a QSL1 championship to the association. Spending my junior rep years at Spartans, Caps have welcomed me with open arms into the senior program, providing me with opportunities and an environment I could thrive in under a talented coaching staff led by Bruce Palmer. To be able to return the favour with a hard fought win on the weekend would be the perfect way to finish off a season of building and learning. To all who made the season possible, thank you, with one round to go in the QSL I cannot wait to finish off with a game to remember.
LUKE MUMFORD
Position: Center
Age: 23
Hometown: Brisbane
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? It has been a great season, and to finish it off with a championship would be very special.
DOMINIC WALSH
Position: Guard
Age: 20
Hometown: Brisbane
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? Would be good to see the boys rewarded for their hard work.
AARON TSENG
Position: PG
Age: 20
Hometown: Brisbane
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? Would mean so much personally and as a group. Personally it’s been a journey for me playing senior basketball, and winning this championship would be amazing as it would be my first championship as a senior basketball player. As a group, the boys have worked so hard throughout the season and we’ve really become really good mates off the court as well. Winning the championship would be a great way to cap the season off for us as a group.
THERON PINKER
Position: Guard
Age: 26
Hometown: Perth
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? It’ll be truly special to me. Coming from the west coast these guys have been so welcoming and supportive. They’re all unselfish and willing to always put each other first which is something rare. We’ve had our ups and our downs but we always seem to get the best out of each other. To win this title will be a true testament to our hard work and togetherness.
STEFANO DI LORIO
Position: PF/C
Age: 21
Hometown: Pescara
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? Winning the QBL in 2019 was the peak of my career in terms of moments, but winning this QSL grand final would be a very close second, it would be something really special to me to win along with this group of guys, we’ve been through a lot as a team, it would be really damn special.
KIERAN MCINERNEY
Position: PF
Age: 20
Hometown: Wollongong
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? It’d mean heaps to hang a banner in the Auchendome after falling short the last two years.
ALISTAIR CAMPBELL
Position: Guard
Age: 21
Hometown: Brisbane
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? This group has come up short in the finals over the last few years so finally getting it done would mean that much more.
JAKE PRIESTLY
Position: Power Forward
Age: 20
Hometown: Mareeba
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? Means a lot since I want to win with the boys that welcomed me into the team and helped me improve my basketball.
KELVIN JANSE VAN VUUREN
Position: Power Forward
Age: 27
Hometown: Pretoria South Africa
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? The best way to describe what it would mean for me is a quote by coach Nick Saban – “one thing about championship teams is that they’re resilient. No matter what is thrown at them, no matter how deep the hole, they find a way to bounce back and overcome adversity”. For me I’ve never played in a championship game I’ve made it there with teams before but unfortunately when it comes to game day I’ve been injured and unable to play, cheering my team on the bench. I’ve had an interesting few of years three broken wrists, 1 dislocated wrist which required surgery, recovery took about a year never thought I would play at rep level again and was told I’ll only ever have 85 to 90 per cent range of motion back.
Having the ability to say I’ve come back from a career ending injury and to finally be able to play in a finals with a team I thought I would never play for again it’s a gift in its self. But to now be able to compete to win a championship I’ll have to go with another quote from the great KG “anything is possible”.
NORTH GOLD COAST SEAHAWKS
MACKENZIE HALL
Position: Guard
Age: 16
Hometown: Ormeau, Gold Coast
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? To win a championship with this team would be an amazing achievement as not many people my age can say they have won gold at this level of basketball.
JORDI ANGER
Position: Guard
Age: 25
Hometown: Townsville
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? There’s nothing this group deserves more than to end this season with a chip. The effort and time this organisation have put into our development and growth needs to be rewarded. I’m happy to play my part in making sure we do that this Saturday night.
ZION JOHNSON
Position: Guard
Age: 19
Hometown: Auckland, New Zealand
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? Winning this title would mean as much to me as a Zinger box, a tasty thought only attained with a price to pay.
JESSE LOMAX
Position: Guard
Age: 24
Hometown: Malvern, Victoria
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? Winning the title for me just means laying down a foundation for our community and our juniors. It means a lot knowing that I can turn playing basketball for fun and staying healthy, into sharing success with my family.
SASHA LOMAKIN
Position: Guard
Age: 25
Hometown: Gold Coast
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? Winning this championship would mean achieving one of my ultimate goals. Winning it after having a year off, would make winning this chip even more special and would be a great achievement for the club and myself.
DONOVAN RUSSELL
Position: Forward
Age: 24
Hometown: Hokitika, NZ
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? Validation for all the hard work the team has put in.
CODY MEULEMAN
Position: Forward
Age: 20
Hometown: Ashmore, Gold Coast
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? Winning the championship would mean that we will finally be able to prove how much work each team member has put into achieving this goal together.
DAVID GURNEY
Position: Forward
Age: 36
Hometown: Toowoomba
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? It will be another big step forward for our club in the pursuit of developing a legitimate pathway for our juniors and a great reward for all the hard work we’ve done so far.
SPENCER TALENI
Position: Forward
Age: 20
Hometown: Logan
WILSON PAGE
Position: Centre
Age: 20
Hometown: Coomera, Gold Coast
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? To win a championship with Seahawks would be a great achievement for myself and the club. Having only played for the Hawks, winning a championship would be extra special and it shows the direction the club is heading. From a few rough seasons over the past few years, it would show that all the hard work is finally starting to pay off.
LOSELI TUPOU
Position: Forward
Age: 21
Hometown: Canberra
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? As someone who has been with the program since the start, winning a title would mean everything. There’s been more downs than ups so it would be great for myself and Seahawks to finally get that ‘W’.
RHYS MARTIN
Position: Guard
Age: 35
Hometown: Brisbane
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? Winning a title means your tribe is better than the other. It means your skill or system is superior. It means your team is the best, at that level, on that day. Come Saturday, we ‘SwoopAs1’.
RILEY COOMBES
Position: Guard
Age: 20
Hometown: Berwick, Victoria
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? I’m proud of what the team has achieved so far, but winning this championship would validate the blood, sweat and tears that have gone into this season.
AMARCO DOYLE
Position: Forward
Age: 16
Hometown: Brisbane
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? A title means everything to me at this point. I want to give everything to NGC because they are family to me. There would be nothing more rewarding than winning a banner for our association.
QUEENSLAND STATE LEAGUE 1 WOMEN’S GRAND FINAL
NORTH GOLD COAST SEAHAWKS
JESSICA BOUNDY
Position: Guard
Age: 18
Hometown: Gold Coast
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? It would mean a lot to me to be undefeated with my teammates the whole season and carry out a title on top of that. It proves our hard work and discipline has paid off and will set us all up for the coming season.
IVANA HALIK
Position: Centre
Age: 29
Home town: Novi Sad (Serbia)
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? The win for me would mean a lot, I moved to Australia eight months ago, winning the final with the Seahawks would mean the great start of new capture in my life and can’t wait to see what’s going to happen after we win (because we will win).
ANAHERA TUHEGA
Position: Point guard/shooting guard
Age: 19
Hometown: Gold Coast
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? Winning the title with my team would be the cherry on top of a great season. Being undefeated we definitely have a lot of pressure on us to bring home the win but it would make all the trainings, games and unexpected events worth it all, showing a huge testament to the team’s commitment.
LAUREN JANSEN
Position: Forward
Age: 28
Hometown: Canberra
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? We have been undefeated all season and it would honestly suck to lose the last game.
TAMSYN PASCOE
Position: Guard
Age: 19
Hometown: Melbourne
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? I would feel grateful, humbled and honoured to of been able to play along side all of the girls.
JASMINE HUNTER
Position: Centre/Forward
Age: 20
Hometown: Gold Coast
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? To me, winning this championship with Seahawks would be incredible! The girls and myself have worked so hard all season and deserve this for our organisation, our sponsors, our fans and ourselves. Seahawks have done so much for us as players and this is a great way to give back to them, to bring home the championship! I have been apart of the Seahawks family my whole life, and to have the opportunity to play in the grand final with these girls will be memorable. I am so excited to play on Saturday and make the Seahawks family proud.
CODI TIEDEMAN
Position: Shooting Forward
Age: 20
Hometown: Gold Coast
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? Winning isn’t about finishing in first place, as a team we built our strengths and our limitations. It’s quite rare to fly through a season undefeated, and I am so proud to be a part of a team who not only topped the league, but we did it together. I love being a part of the Seahawks family.
YARRA ADNUM LAMB
Position: Guard
Age: 18
Hometown: Gold Coast
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? Ultimately, it would be the bragging rights over the Gold Coast team.
CHARLI REECE
Position: Centre
Age: 19
Hometown: Gold Coast
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? To win a title with this team would be huge, after coming back from college not being able to play due to Covid, nothing really beats coming home to win a title with the club I’ve been with since U16’s especially with this team.
GOLD COAST ROLLERS
REESE ANDRADE
Position: Power forward
Age: 19
Hometown: Gold Coast
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? Winning a title would mean a lot, it’s not often that a team gets along as well as we do and I would love to win a title with the girls that I’ve been playing with for many seasons.
JORDAN BILLING
Position: Guard/Forward
Age: 16
Hometown: Gold Coast
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? Since it is my first season playing QSL with the girls it would mean a lot to win and be rewarded for all the training we have put in.
BRIDGETTE KENNEDY
Position: Guard
Age: 19
Hometown: Gold Coast
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? Having represented Gold Coast Basketball Since I was eight, to win a State League title would be the first win at this level in my career. It would be a fantastic achievement to do it with such a great bunch of girls, most of which have been a part of my entire basketball journey.
AMELIA ANDREWS
Position: Guard
Age: 17
Hometown: Kyneton, Victoria
JADE PEACOCK
Position: Small/Power Forward
Age: 16
Hometown: Gold coast
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? It would mean a lot winning the title in my first ever senior comp with Sarah and all the girls I’ve grown so fond over the short season, especially with the adversity of the season with injuries and Covid.
ABBEY HAMILL
Position: Guard
Age: 19
Hometown: Gold Coast
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? For me, I’ve been playing in this same uniform since I was nine, so winning a title with these girls and this club would be so incredibly special to me. I’m so proud of how far we have come.
TAYLA CENDAMO
Position: Point/Shooting guard
Age: 21
Hometown: Melbourne, Victoria
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? Winning a title with this group of girls would mean a lot as we’ve all worked so hard together all season to get ourselves to this point so it would be the icing on the cake.
MIKAYLAH FRANKLAND
Position: Power Forward
Age: 19
Hometown: Our team has worked hard all season to reach our goal of making the grand final. What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? Winning the title as a team would be the ultimate reward for us. Win or lose we have had a great season and I’m really proud of all the girls.
KATIE DONOVAN
Position: Guard
Age: 16
Hometown: Gold Coast
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? It would mean a great deal to me to win as it’s my first season as a junior in a senior competition
CASSIDY MUIR
Position: Power Forward
Age: 19
Hometown: Gold Coast
What would it mean to win the QSL 1 championship? It would mean a lot because it would show not only how hard we played against Seahawks top team but all the effort we have all put in individually and as a team throughout a tough season.
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