State championship coaches speak about their team’s after recent Basketball Qld junior tournaments
Six new champions were crowned after winning gold at recent Basketball Queensland junior state championships and now the coaches speak about what made their teams special.
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Six clubs now have a new addition to their trophy cabinets after being crowned state champions at the most recent Basketball Queensland junior championships.
Fighting through the uncertainty of Covid, with the under-12s tournament being cancelled mid-tournament then rescheduled, as well as the regular ups and downs of a representative season – these teams overcame obstacle after obstacle to bring home the title.
Both tournaments, the under-14 girls at Mackay and under-12s at Logan, also showcased the bright future of basketball in Queensland with the state’s youngest representative stars producing some incredible performances on the big stage.
See the stories behind Basketball Queensland’s newest state champions as the coach of each team shares just what made their group a gold medal team.
UNDER-12 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS (Hosted by Logan Basketball)
Boys Division 3 Champions – Gold Coast Rollers
Grand Final Result: GC Rollers def SD Trojans White 57-49
Coach Simon Rigby
What was your thoughts on the potential of this group when they first came together?
“I thought that we had huge potential, they were all determined with loads of grit but we had our work cut out for us, we lacked height and by the players own admission we had nine guards. So it was a matter of assigning new roles and getting a ‘buy in’ from the entire squad.”
What do you think are the moments and attributes that made this team a state championship team?
“No single moment, I think the season leading up taught them to fight and grind out wins, trust their pass-first offence and disrupt on the defensive end.”
What was it like having the uncertainty of maybe not having the tournament going ahead due to Covid and how’d you deal with that?
“It was tough but at the same time we were grateful to have a strong tournament up to that point. We were content knowing that we had positive results with the remaining three teams.”
What can you say about the team’s efforts at the tournament?
“Outstanding, they took one game at a time and carried out each teams strategy, they showed tremendous character throughout the tournament but in particular when we were 14 points behind in the semi-final against Logan in Logan with a lot of noise, they fought back and got us into the final.”
What was the feeling like after winning the grand final?
“That they earned every part of that moment.”
What can you say about the future potential of this group?
“It’s hard to say being under-12 and all, but if they keep playing basketball then the future look bright for us at Gold Coast.”
Girls Division 2 Champions – RedCity Roar
Grand Final Result: RedCity Roar def Brisbane Capitals 65-32
Coach Jason Lavender
What was your thoughts on the potential of this group when they first came together?
“Across the first few training sessions, these young girls showed that they were willing to learn, however the energy and intensity wasn’t quite there. Given our team was made of five girls who hadn’t played a full rep season before, one who only went to State Championships and four rep rookies, I was confident, if we could lift the energy at training, then we had the right blend of girls to have a great season.”
What do you think are the moments and attributes that made this team a state championship team?
“Firstly, it was the way that these girls bonded on and off the court, they became one big family. Across the season there were a few defining moments that took this team of girls from good to great. The first was the Premier League Grading Day, where in our first game we fell behind 0-19 and were rattled. During a time out, I asked the girls to trust in our training and themselves, and they responded with a 17-2 run. We ended up losing that game by about nine points but that run, proved to the girls, that had ability.
“After that day, the energy and intensity was phenomenal at training, the girls challenged themselves to be better and play smarter basketball, knowing the more they developed, the more it challenged their teammates to become better. The team spirit was always high, their training ethic was second to none. In fact, the under-12 boys team became the girls biggest fans, as they watched these girls go from strength to strength.
“We played Logan Thunder in the SQJBC Crossover Challenge for a spot in Premier League. After trailing by 20 in the second quarter, the girls fought back to lead by 1 in the fourth quarter, before running out of steam, losing by just seven. It was then I thought the girls could win it all.
“These 10 young girls always showed up to train, they showed a desire to not only develop better skills, but to learn basketball IQ, they never made excuses, they supported one another and only had goal, the team goal of being better.”
What was it like having the uncertainty of maybe not having the tournament going ahead due to Covid and how’d you deal with that?
“The girls and I were shattered when the State Championships were cancelled. We had just beaten SD Titans convincingly in our quarterfinal, had gone through SQJBC Southern Cup undefeated (16-0) winning gold, and were just two victories away from completing the perfect undefeated season. When I broke the news to the girls, I had tears in my eyes, as did they. As guttered as we were, I told the girls, that what they had achieved was remarkable, but more so, the legacy they had built for all junior girls at RedCity, that was the true championship, so be proud and celebrate their hard work.”
What can you say about the team’s efforts at the tournament?
“I cannot speak highly enough of the team spirit, team comrade and their combined focus at State Championships. From the very first game, the girls played great team basketball, at both ends of the floor, willing to make one extra pass for an uncontested lay-up or put their body on the line to take a charge. Every player started at least one game at the tournament, they brought energy whether they were on the court or supporting from the team bench.
“The Division 2 State Championship Gold Medal game saw us take on Brisbane Capitals again and the first half was an intensive defensive effort from both teams. Neither team could build more than a three-point lead before halftime saw the scores locked at 21-all. Our intensity and developing basketball IQ saw us dominate the second half out scoring Capitals 34-12, seeing us win 65-32.”
What was the feeling like after winning the grand final?
“Knowing we had won with about two minutes to go in the game, I started subbing my players out, so that they could get the individual applause from the crowd and teammates.
I won’t lie, I had tears of joy, I was so ecstatic for this team of special young girls, they had achieved an extremely rare feat, they had their reward for all the hard work, dedication and passion to their team and the game. The girls were jumping over the moon, hugging one another, high fives, it was so special for them.”
What can you say about the future potential of this group?
“I’ve been coaching junior sport for over 30 years and this time of girls, they are probably the greatest team I have ever coached, not on their abilities, but their team spirit, their desire to be better, the legacy they have created for all junior girls and boys at RedCity.
“The future is extremely positive for this team of girls. The girls are keen to continue developing and ready themselves for a shot at U14 Premier League in SQJBC 2022 and maybe Club Championships next year or the year after. I know I would love the opportunity to coach the team next year, to continue helping these girls achieve their goals. These girls are the future of RedCity female basketball, so keep your eyes out for them.”
Boys Division 1 Champions – Logan Thunder
Grand Final Result: Logan Thunder def GC Waves 67-47
Coach Kevin McGrath
What were your thoughts on the potential of this group when they first came together?
“I had a feeling this group would be good as we were returning three players from the previous year, so top four in the south was our goal, but I had no idea how much this group would grow and blossom as a team.”
What do you think were the moments and attributes that made this team a state championship team?
“I think the turning point for this team came in one of our mid-season games against Brisbane where we were up but they put a big run on us. We were able to stabilise and refocus as a team and grind out the win. This was the first time that season where we didn’t get overrun by another top four side and taught us a lot about resilience and staying positive in the down moments of a game.”
What was it like having the uncertainty of maybe not having the tournament going ahead due to Covid and how’d you deal with that?
“At first I was very disappointed for the boys because they had worked so hard, but as a coach I was OK upon reflection as I was so proud of their growth. But once BQ worked hard to reschedule the final day, it was just a matter of refocusing the group and working hard to be ready.”
What can you say about the team’s efforts at the tournament?
“Obviously I’m extremely proud of the boys performance at the tournament. Each game presented a different challenge and our depth in playing roster was our strength as each player made meaningful contributions in different situations. We dropped a game in the pool rounds to an excellent Gold Coast team and the boys had to adjust quickly to the new challenges ahead of them.”
What was the feeling like after winning the grand final?
“It was an amazing feeling winning on our home court in front of the #ThunderFamily. It was just such an incredible experience for the boys to be part of and great reward for their hard work throughout the season.”
What can you say about the future potential of this group?
“The sky’s the limit for this team. They are a special group who want to learn and improve. They train with dedication which sets them up for a great future in basketball.”
UNDER-14 GIRLS STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS (Hosted by Mackay Basketball)
Girls Division 3 Champions – Townsville Lightning
Grand Final Result: Townsville Lightning def Emerald Chargers 56-53
Coach Tina Andrews
What was your thoughts on the potential of this group when they first came together?
“Upon team selection, I was confident I had covered all areas of the game in terms of speed, strength, and effort. The girls trained extremely hard, and through these efforts, I knew we would be very competitive, given the fact we had some relatively new girls to the rep program.”
What do you think are the moments and attributes that made this team a state championship team?
“The girls had the heart and drive to win. Learning to work and gel together, both on and off court, provided all the right ingredients to mould these girls into a winning team. I think this is important to have this relationship between players to embrace that team bonding which led to our success.”
What was it like having the uncertainty of maybe not having the tournament going ahead due to Covid and how’d you deal with that?
“It was a little nerve wracking knowing after all the effort the girls have put it, we may not get to play. The girls accepted it well, knowing that even if the competition was cancelled, they had worked hard to achieve what they had up to that time.”
What can you say about the team’s efforts at the tournament?
“The girls efforts were all that a coach could ask of their team. Each and every player contributed to our games whether that was offensively and/or defensively, and the support they gave each other was admirable. Our grand final showed their true team spirit and determination to win after bringing back a 12 point deficit in the third quarter. Through sheer tough defence and executing plays on offence we edged our way back to win a nail biter by three points.”
What was the feeling like after winning the grand final?
“I was so excited for the girls – our months of hard work at trainings and physical training sessions certainly paid off. When you have a group of young athletes, a very supportive Assistant Coach and Team Manager who have the same goals and desires to succeed and do well together, makes my job that little bit easier. Having won a gold medal with this talented group was the best feeling. Winning gold was our ultimate goal and together we achieved that.”
What can you say about the future potential of this group?
“There is so much talent among this team and with their own willingness to improve on all aspects of their game, certainly sets them up to become promising young basketballers in years to come.”
Girls Division 2 Champions – Burdekin Wildcats
Grand Final Result: Burdekin Wildcats def SD Titans 56-53
Coach Craig Mathews
What was your thoughts on the potential of this group when they first came together?
“Initially we had not enough numbers for a team. Then we managed to bring a mix of players together. Some experienced, some athletes that were relatively new to the game and some straight out beginners. The potential was obvious but it was going to take a lot of hard work to get them all up to speed and ready to contest the State Championships.”
What do you think are the moments and attributes that made this team a state championship team?
“In our first carnival together we won three out of four games and I could see that they had already gelled and were playing for each other. They backed each other on and off the court and were a really tight unit from the first tip off. They also listened and were able to execute plays. All the girls had a great work ethic and did their own individual training outside of practice which was huge for us.”
What was it like having the uncertainty of maybe not having the tournament going ahead due to Covid and how’d you deal with that?
“We were all a bit uncertain about Covid but felt that if the lockdown lifted everything would go ahead. So we trained as if everything was going to be OK.”
What can you say about the team’s efforts at the tournament?
“The girls effort was massive at the tournament. We come from a tiny little town, we only had eight players and every girl in our under-14 age group is in the team but the desire to win and give it everything was phenomenal. Every girl was committed to the job. Our semi final and grand final games were special. We beat Mackay who had beaten us three times during the season and then beat Southern Districts in the grand final, who had beaten us convincingly a day before. Everything I asked them to do they did. They were exhausted, injured and under huge amounts of pressure but pulled it all together. Heroic would be a good word.”
What was the feeling like after winning the grand final?
“The whole team was ecstatic. A few happy tears and lots of smiles and cheering from the team and our supporters.”
What can you say about the future potential of this group?
“This group has the potential to go on to bigger and better things. They have already started planning for next year and are all super excited to start again for next season.”
Girls Division 1 Champions – Cairns Dolphins
Grand Final Result: Cairns Dolphins def Mackay Meteorettes 53-48
Coach Myra Donkin
What was your thoughts on the potential of this group when they first came together?
“This team came into the season as State Championshis when they were top age Under-12s two years ago so I had a lot of belief in them as a group. Nearly the entire team came into the season with the attitude that they had a title to defend which made them extra determined and committed to working hard to achieve gold this year.
“Taryn Bond led the competition in scoring in under-14s last season as a bottom-aged kid so going into the season I knew she was going to be a force offensively. I felt we were the most athletic team in the tournament and we used this to our advantage. We knew we were under sized and would rely on our pace to wear teams down come the tough pool games and finals campaign.”
What do you think are the moments and attributes that made this team a state championship team?
“The most impressive thing about this team is they epitomise everything a team stands for. They have each others back on and off the floor, they compete until the end and they know they can rely on each other when things get tough. We have individual talents that are unique but what makes us a championship team is our ability to play for each other and get the job done as a group.”
What was it like having the uncertainty of maybe not having the tournament going ahead due to Covid and how’d you deal with that?
“The uncertainty of the state champs going ahead was daunting but we just went about our training like it was going to go ahead and hoped for the best. We are very appreciative to BQ for being proactive and having all the systems in place so we could play in the most normal circumstances possible.”
What can you say about the team’s efforts at the tournament?
“This group of athletes have all played together for some time now and know what it takes to win. They train hard and are held accountable by coaches and each other and have such grit about them which translates to how they play on the court.”
What was the feeling like after winning the grand final?
“Winning is such an amazing feeling and these kids are lucky to have two massive titles under their belt at such a young age. They wanted to make nationals so bad and I was incredibly proud of all 10 athletes and how they contributed to making that happen.”
What can you say about the future potential of this group?
“This group will hopefully stay together moving into under-16s and work hard to defend their title in two years. I’m excited to watch them grow as athletes and hope to see many of them suiting up for Cairns in the NBL1 in the coming years.”
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