GPS Basketball: The super 20 players revealed after round 7
Meet the 20 top players from GPS Basketball’s seventh round as Gregory Terrace, Brisbane State High, The Southport School and Toowoomba Grammar fixate their eyes on premiership glory.
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One of the biggest rounds of the season unfolded on Saturday.
Four bumper games threw the premiership race into some real turmoil, with Toowoomba Grammar left the last unbeaten side in the GPS competition.
But perhaps not for long as Brisbane State High and Gregory Terrace await them in the last two rounds of the season.
Brisbane State High School won’t be easy. Their Year 12 cohort, after Southport dealt them their first loss in six years, 86-76, will be firing to finish their season as premiers.
After a win on Old Boys day, Southport head coach Anthony Petrie was above the moon for his young squad. “It’s a new group, learning and figuring things out. They always listen, bust their guts and try so hard,” Petrie said.
“They were excellent defensively, rebounded well and did the things that get you across the line”
“Being down 15, they might have fallen apart earlier in the season, but they hung tough.”
5-1 Gregory Terrace continued to alert the competition of how dangerous they are, winning 110-95 over Nudgee College at home.
While Toowoomba Grammar made it six-from-six with a 77-57 win over Brisbane Grammar and Churchie returned from a week off in style, beating BBC 97-86.
If we learned anything round 7, it’s that the future of the competition is in good hands.
Toowoomba Grammar Coach Kabe Cicolini said: “So much of the talent is in year 10. In two years the competition is going to be incredible.
“For us directors and head coaches, we have to be sharp over the next few years because the quality is going to climb and climb.”
THE SUPER 20 FROM ROUND 7
Tyson Warren (Nudgee College)
Warren was a classy customer, especially in the first quarter on Saturday. The degree of difficulty on some of the shots he made was super impressive.
He used his length to get to the cup and he didn’t force any shots despite the scoreboard undoubtedly nudging him to.
Nate Scott (Nudgee College)
Scott was Nudgee’s marquee player providing every supporter gathered at Gregory Terrace a showcase and a half.
He will be missed sincerely by Nudgee with next week his last game ever in Blue and White colours. He’s irreplaceable and that’s not an exaggeration. It’s hard to find a bucket getter like Scott.
He’s an if you need points get the ball in his hands and he will make it happen for you type of player.
Hunter Trego (Gregory Terrace)
Trego has been that guy all season. He’s not afraid to shoot and why would he be with such a smooth stroke. The lefty didn’t miss on Saturday.
He was damaging behind the arc early and continued to stay hot while making a statement inside. He made some great cuts.
Phoenix Trego (Gregory Terrace)
If one wasn’t enough.
Phoenix, was another Terrace sharp shooter to pile on the hurt against Nudgee. If Hunter wasn’t attacking, then Phoenix was.
Round 8 is going to be the most exciting weekend yet. I’d make the trip to Spring Hill if you want to see one of the best of 2022 between Terrace and Southport.
Paul Papacostas (Gregory Terrace)
Big man Papacostas was a monster in the paint. While the Trego twins tormented from behind the perimeter, Papacostas was a bully on the boards.
He would’ve had close to 20 rebounds and half of them offensive. Whenever there was a loose rebound, he tracked it down and gave his team another possession. That’s deadly with a lineup like Terrace’s.
Kailan Sales (Brisbane State High)
Sales was there for his team again with a little bit of everything. He snuck in, got some rebounds and played hard.
He was State High’s best.
Liam Hude (Brisbane State High)
Liam Hude, a Lions Academy AFL player, was back in business on Saturday. He’s been a starter for State High since Year 10. That is, when available.
He’s similar to Sales. He does everything. Against Southport, he was great defensively, got the rebounds and was strong in his drives to the rim.
He will play the rest of the season.
Rufaro Zimbwa (Toowoomba Grammar)
Zimbwa was really solid. He was everywhere.
He guarded Brisbane Grammar’s primary ball handler really well like every week.
Coach Kabe Cicolini said: “He’s the only senior in the main rotation and for him to take control of the game was important. It shows his maturity within the group.”
Rahul Captain (Toowoomba Grammar)
Captain has made a conscious effort on the defensive end. He’s taken over the communication and organisation on that front and did a good job cleaning up some defensive boards when the game was in the mix against Brisbane Grammar on Saturday.
Cicolini said: “He solidified a lot of our defensive performance this week. As a Year 11 in his first year of GPS basketball, it’s nice to see him grow week to week.”
Tawawna Ngorima (Toowoomba Grammar)
Coming into round 7, Ngorima wasn’t at 100%. As 6th man, the flow of the game changes when he comes in and his ability to create out of the pick and roll. His ability to find shooters and get his own shots is something special for a year 10.
Cicolini said for him to have such a big impact at 16 years of age is “pretty wild.”
James Eccleston (Brisbane Grammar)
Brisbane Grammar, like the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, gives away an award each week to their effort player. Eccleston won that. He played really well.
Caleb Cronn (Churchie)
Cronn led Churchie to a win over BBC with an impressive 35 points, six Rebounds and six Assists.
The numbers speak for themselves.
Kurt Siwek (Churchie)
In round 7, Churchie’s defensive pressure was much improved, forcing BBC out of their offence.
Kurt Siwek was big inside and showed great touch from the mid range. He contributed an impressive double double stat line with 19 points, 10 rebounds and three assists.
Edward Storen (Churchie)
Edward Storen also showed out with a double double, recording 10 pts and 10 rebounds.
Jared Gluch (BBC)
BBC star Jared Gluch was outstanding once again. BBC basketball director David Bennett had high praise for him, saying “I’d like to see the stats. He would’ve had 20 or so rebounds.
He did a great job,” Bennett said.
Emerson Juhasz (BBC)
Impressive Year 10 youngster Emerson Juhasz was very strong from the shooting standpoint. Behind the perimeter and in general play, he was a standout.
Daniel Graham (BBC)
Year 10 Daniel Graham was very solid again. Bennett said his control and leadership for a young boy keeps impressing.
Graham is just one of many young stars in this competition that will be exciting in years to come.
Lee Van Der Westhuizen (BBC)
Lee Van Der Westhuizen was very solid. He’s a good shooter, long limbed and a great strong support and scoring player.
He’s had a few strong games this season.But on Saturday, he sunk four threes...
Ben Tweedy (Southport)
Tweedy led from the front. The Year 11 competitor did his best job leading the team all year. He found a good balance between himself and also integrating the likes of Jaylen Pitman Jack Foley and Indy Cotton.
Jaylen Pitman (Southport)
No.7 was elite again. He’s been terrific all season, but shone even brighter in round 7.
On offense, he’s a nightmare to stay in front of. Defensively he’s outstanding.
Indy Cotton (Southport)
Fearless Year Nine Indy Cotton was huge for Southport. At one stage coach Anthony Petrie ran with the same team for almost an entire quarter because of how well Cotton and his teammates were clicking.
Cotton just did the little things— running the lanes, spacing the floor and getting hands on loose balls.
Petrie said he just gets it at such a young age. “He knows how to play at a high level.”
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