NBL1 North Basketball finals: Jason Ralph, Nathan Sobey the winning recipe for the Ipswich Force

How a born and bred Ipswich baller and an Olympic Bronze medallist brought home the Ipswich Force’s first state title in the club’s 60 year history.

The Ipswich Force are NBL1 Champions. Picture courtesy of Erick Lucero.

The Ipswich Force first ever state title is a momumental moment in the association’s 60 year history.

The Force, with only one previous Men’s grand final appearance, claimed the NBL1 North Finals Series against the Gold Coast Rollers 2-1.

And the success of this year’s team could be attributed to various different things.

Whether it be the roaring Ipswich crowd which gave the Force a boost when they needed a bucket, or a rollicking cheer when they went on a run. Or the lethal one-two punch of Galloway brothers Jaylin and Kyrin, the dominance of big man Deng Deng, or a catalyst third quarter run in the semi finals, Ipswich were always heavyweight contenders.

DEng DEng dropped a cool 41 in the decider. Picture courtesy of Erick Lucero.

But there lies one denominator for Ipswich in what has proven the recipe for success.

It is of course Olympic Bronze medallist Nathan Sobey, and the heart and soul of the team Jason Ralph.

Nathan Sobey and Jason Ralph. Picture courtesy of Erick Lucero.

When asked about the impact Brisbane Bullets guard Sobey had on the team, head coach Chris Riches said “He is definitely the most talented player I’ve coached.

“The composure he has, the faith he has in his own ability to close out games and get a bucket, there is no one else that has that combination.

“He is lightning quick, and has that prowess from the three point line … On Saturday (Game two) when he scored 39 there were moments where he was unguardable.”

Nathan Sobey, Finals MVP, pictured with Basketball QLD chairperson Julie George. Photo credit: Rob Bibby

As for Ralph, Riches said it was safe to say this feat could not have been achieved without him.

“Absolutely,” Riches said in praise of Ralph, who has been the starting point guard and captain for six straight years.

“The decisions … All the stuff, it’s always me and him, brainstorming, from that point of view, he is crucial and he has built this.

“Being an Ipswich junior (Ralph that is), there are so many teams that don’t have that connection with their local community, he is one of those really good locally produced guys who is an inspiration for those to come.”

Indeed Ralph, and fellow Ipswich Grammar alumni Matthew Hodgson, are the epitome of this community connection.

But Ralph isn’t just important to the championship DNA – He is the championship DNA.

The Ipswich Force are NBL1 Champions. Picture courtesy of Erick Lucero.

Riches recalls the third quarter of Ipswich’s semifinals game against Logan.

”We went into the half down 15 and finished the third up six. It was that run in that quarter,” which Riches said was when he realised his team could go the distance.

“They could switch on with such a refined intent to bring the game back and demonstrated how powerful they could be … A really special group there.

“And again on Saturday after losing by 14 in game 1, it was a situation where the Gold Coast is a quality team, we were going blow for blow, and a 7-0 run to start the fourth quarter won the game for us.”

Since that 7-0 run Ipswich were unbeatable, with momentum in their favour, passes sticking, shots falling and the hope of “not letting anyone down,” in the back of their minds.

It was as if Ipswich had a sixth player out there, that is how passionate their supporters were.

The Ipswich Force are NBL1 North Champions. Picture: Rob Bibby.

“This year making it through and winning it has been amazing. It has been driven by the community,” Riches said about their sixth starter.

“We had people coming, hundreds of people travelling to away games, who were very vocal.

“It helps at different moments, it is a game of runs, when your fans are supporting you, it inspires you.

“It happened so many times,” Riches said about the Force fans getting them out of a shooting slump and into a run which could decide the game.

“You talk to them (the supporters) after the game, when you’re celebrating and they spill out on the court. It is something that is incredibly special. They are so into it. It’s a huge community feel with a lot of parents, ex-players and ex-presidents,” Riches said, describing the Force fandom.

“”They follow us because they see the effort we are putting in.

“Being able to do this is such a rare and precious thing that you are always focused on going through the post season and making sure you take chances when they come.”

To put it into perspective, there is a minimum of 250 players who start out in the NBL1 North each season for only 20 of those guys to make it through to the final.

The reality of never making a final or seeing a ring is real – but that is not something Ipswich will have to worry about for any longer.

The last time the Ipswich Force Men’s team made the grand final was in 1986.

Footnote: The Force will play the Rockingham Flames on August 18 in the NBL1 National Finals.