GPS Basketball: Most surprising, best hype men revealed
Who have been GPS Basketball’s most surprising and best hype men this season? With one exciting round remaining, we reveal these young stars from all 9 teams in the competition.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The premiership will be decided this weekend, with three teams in hot pursuit.
Southport (12) Toowoomba Grammar (12) and Brisbane State High (12) all have claims.
So, it now comes down to the final round, following a big round 8 win by Brisbane State High over Toowoomba and an even bigger win by Southport in round 7, throwing a cat among the pigeons.
Ipswich and Gregory Terrace have a huge part to play on Saturday, coming up against Southport and Toowoomba respectively. If they unseat their final rival of the season, then the premiership will be Brisbane State High’s.
That’s if they down Churchie.
To celebrate the last Home And Away fixtures on Saturday, we will name the hype men and most surprising players here and then next week reveal NBA style awards for all 9 teams across the competition.
This story follows last week’s revelation about the competition’s most underrated and most hard working players.
The Most Surprising
Isaac Cordell (Churchie)
Isaac Cordell is someone who wasn’t really on the radar. Possibly in the team. Possibly not.
Jeez he has stood up. With a phenomenal attitude and in your face defence, he has been a big plus for coach Drew Summerfield.
How about this for a stat: a whopping nine steals in just one game.
Caleb Cronn (Churchie)
Year 11 Caleb Cronn landed in the lap of Churchie as a transfer student and has been incredible. Starting as an unknown from Perth, Cronn has blossomed into Churchie’s best player of 2022.
Makai Green (Brisbane State High)
The Year 11 big man has been a revelation in the face of injuries and absences, bringing a tough inside presence with a soft touch around the rim.
He didn’t join the group until mid-season but worked his way into the rotation and every player feels more confident with a human brick wall like ‘Makka’ by their side.
Joel Mynott (Ipswich Grammar)
Year 10 Joel Mynott has been a pleasant surprise for coach Jason Ralph. From a question mark to breaking into the team in the round two and three, he has made strides.
It’s not about the minutes with Mynott but about the development.
He’s a sharp shooter, destined for two big years in the Ipswich jersey, as attention turns to the future.
Rylan Carlisle and Tyson Warren (Nudgee College)
The emergence of Year 10’s Rylan Carlisle and Tyson Warren looks real good for Nudgee as they build for next year.
If you see them in action, you’ll agree. They have all the tools.
Indy Cotton and Nikos Karathanasopoulos (Southport)
Indy cotton has and has not surprised coach Anthony Petrie. History reads Year Nine’s ride the bench, and have no place against 18-year-olds. But Cotton not only fits in, but churns out a massive performance each week.
He works hard and is a natural.
Year 10 Nikos Karathanasopoulos has really surprised Petrie with his improvement.
“What he’s been able to process intellectually from term two to now is mind blowing. Being able to think about the game of basketball. The next level of conversations.”
“It’s surprising to see the jump he’s made but it’s due to the work,” Petrie said.
Nick French (Gregory Terrace)
French was a member of the Terrace squad in 2021 but saw very limited opportunities. As one of few squad members over 6 feet in height, French was expected to make the team this year. What coach Mathew Hamilton-Smith did not expect was the consistency and production from him on a weekly basis.
French has worked extremely hard to get in great physical shape, allowing him to play at the right tempo. He has proven to be a great rebounder and excellent defender for his position.
He has been on the court during some crucial sequences this year and has not failed to produce when it matters.
Ben Balthes (Brisbane Grammar)
The Brisbane Grammar First V captain didn’t play many minutes last year. But this year he was selected captain by his peers and has stood up big time on the leadership front.
He’s progressed immensely, morphing into a genuine leader both on and off the court.
(BBC)
coming soon
Tawana Ngorima (Toowoomba Grammar)
Ngorima is a nifty customer. A pest to the opposition but a necessity for Toowoomba. He takes charges, draws more fouls than you could ever imagine, and has a knack for getting tough buckets.
Coach Kabe Cicolini’s 6th man can hoop.
RELATED LINKS
MOST UNDERRATED HARDEST WORKERS
PROFILE: BRISBANE GRAMMAR SCHOOL’S HUGH WEIBGEN
The Best Hype Men
Thomas Joy (Churchie)
Thomas Joy, the Churchie captain. He comes off the bench and gets the energy up—always getting dabs, always getting touches and always the first off the bench.
The ideal teammate.
Anton Huang (Churchie)
Huang is that Year 12 that makes the crowd go wild. When you put him on court, he is the fan favourite.
It doesn’t matter for how long or what stage in the game, he makes the Churchie faithful go berserk.
Coleman Vagana and Tristan Afamasaga (Ipswich)
Year 11 Coleman Vagana, Year10 Tristan Afamasaga have brought the culture all season for Ipswich.
They are the first to help someone up off the floor. When someone makes a shot they are the first to get around them with dabs.
Roman Siulepa and Baker Hepehi-Karini (Brisbane State High)
Siulepa hasn’t been able to play in Brisbane State High’s last two games but has been vocal on the bench and in the locker room, keeping the culture upbeat and focused.
But, if you want to see some buckets, he could be in action against Churchie on Saturday. He will bring his vibe and dance moves to the court as well as his NBA Global Academy honed skills.
With his lockdown defense and intensity whenever he steps on the court, guard Baker Hepehi-Karini instantly lifts the entire group.
The Year 12’s (Nudgee)
The Hype Man award would be split between multiple Year 12’s, who bring the group together.
The drivers being Nate Scott, Finn Carey, Oliver Langton, Ryan Wedmaier and Lachlan Caldwell.
The torch will be passed to Carlisle and Warren come seasons end.
Luca Pulvirenti (Gregory Terrace)
Pulvirenti is an integral part of the Terrace squad.
He’s the best communicator on the court at training and isn’t shy of letting the more established players know that he is not there to make up the numbers.
He has had limited opportunities on the court this season with the 1st V but that does not stop him from being the first on his feet celebrating a great play or the first on the court to lift the spirits of someone who is struggling.
(BBC)
coming soon
Angus Wilkie (Southport)
Wilkie is a fantastic teammate. He competes and earns those minutes.
Even without game time, he is so invested—the one in a game where as the coach, you can hear him the loudest from the bench.
He delivers the right message and holds people accountable. Sometimes you spectate and disengage when on the bench but that couldn’t be further from the truth with Wilkie.
“On the court, in the gym, game day he is great for the group. doing what’s right for the group,” Petrie said.
Lachlan Curtin and George Mercer (Brisbane Grammar)
Lachlan Curtin is the hype man for Brisbane Grammar and it isn’t a question. Curtin, flexing, whipping out the goggles, and being vocal at training and on game day.
Young grade 10 George Mercer loves a celebration too. Whenever someone makes a tough shot he is the first one up.
Paul Pink Shield U16 cricket Team of the Finals
Who starred in the U16 Paul Pink Shield female cricket semi-finals? Here’s the Team of the Finals, along with club men’s and women’s senior grade highlights.
Champion near-drowning and photo finish closes out Iron Series
A close call and a photo finish fuelled a dramatic close to the Iron Series, with champions of the men’s and women’s competition named for the 2024-25 campaign.