The moments that made Gregory Terrace into a current GPS Basketball powerhouse
The future of the Gregory Terrace GPS Basketball program seemed gloomy until several moments set the foundation to make them a powerhouse once again and helped break a 16-year premiership drought. SEE INSIDE THE REBUILD HERE.
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The future of the once powerful GPS Basketball program from St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace had turned dark and gloomy.
After winning premierships in 1997 and 2004, Terrace languished towards the bottom of the competition in 2012 and 2013 with their team, usually full of state and representative talents, now consisting of students who either didn’t play basketball or considered it their second sport.
But a moment leading up to the two leanest years in the program’s history had already set the foundation that would ultimately turn the tide once again make them a powerhouse in the competition.
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“After a disappointing season in all sports in 2011 and a subsequent sports review from the college,” Gregory Terrace basketball coach, Matthew Hamilton-Smith, said.
In what might have seemed like a common review a sports program would conduct after a season poor results – this review was anything but and was the catalyst to several changes, which helped the college capture its first premiership in 16 years.
The first change was the ability to recruit players to the school.
“There was a shift to focus on sport performance and flexibility around sporting merit enrolments,” Hamilton-Smith said.
“These were not simply handout as we carefully selected students that demonstrated some of the values we wanted to be renown for on the court.
“These students combined with those that were the product of countless hours of individual development from within the program to put a competitive team on the court every weekend.”
The second major change was the addition of Australian basketball legend in three-time Olympian, two-time NBL champion and 2007 NBL MVP, Sam Mackinnon, as the school’s director of basketball.
“Sam obviously has a record in the sport that speaks for itself. His hiring gave the sport at Terrace significant recognition,” Hamilton-Smith said.
“Obviously Sam was a great player but he is also a determined worker who fought for equity for the sport of basketball at the college.
“While he was director we saw significant improvement in equipment, facilities and coaching development. This directly translated to improved outcomes on the court and that got the ball rolling in the promotion of the sport at Terrace.”
The third change came as a result of the previous steps taken by the school to turnaround their basketball program, as families and star juniors started to choose to send their children to Terrace because of the progress that had been made in recent years.
“Sam (Mackinnon) was instrumental in developing the profile of the sport in the wider basketball community,” Hamilton-Smith said.
“As a result we began to pick up a greater number of students, who played basketball as their primary sport.
“These families knew that sending their son to Terrace would mean access to a great program of junior development that worked with representative programs.
“Now we have a great depth of invested and highly talented players in all of our age group being mentored by passionate and experienced coaches which creates a great environment for all involved.”
Then last year in a game against Ipswich Grammar School came the moment that made almost a decade of hard work, which included some tough seasons for the program and moments where they were uncertain about the future, all worth it.
A comeback victory over IGS meant Terrace would be joint GPS Basketball premiers with Churchie, their first title since 2004 with the final siren producing emotional moments of absolute jubilation for coaches, players and staff.
“It was a great relief and reward for the countless hours put in by a number coaching and administrative staff,” Hamilton-Smith said.
“But most importantly a great reward and lifelong memory for the playing group who worked so hard over a number of years together.”
However, Hamilton-Smith said reaching the height they had dreamt of for years had not lessened the program’s motivation for success.
Boasting a star-studded team, including nationally identified athletes Geordan Papacostas, Max Mackinnon as well as dynamic guard David Eltima, the team is now hell bent on capturing an outright title this season.
“When you look at some of the opposition teams it is pretty easy to remain focused. The level of talent in the 2020 GPS competition is outstanding.,” he said.
“We understand that without a continued focus on improvement we will be easily accounted for by some of the stronger teams.
“As coaches we are also looking to develop the players beyond that of being a good high school player.
“I think we are now at the point where the we will judge the success of our program, not by premierships won, but by where our players have gone on to play be that domestically or abroad.
“The focus for us is the continued success throughout program, not just at a 1st V level. We are looking to win as many games as possible every weekend to cement our position as an up and coming GPS Basketball powerhouse.
“We also focus on the student side of things ensuring that through basketball we can motivate players to improve their academics to give them working or university opportunities and to just become better people and leaders in our community when they leave the college.
Hamilton-Smith also said the program’s success would not be possible without the dedication of their Terrace staff and continued development under current director of basketball, Tom O’Malley.
Terrace are currently undefeated this GPS Basketball season and face another competition heavyweight in Brisbane State High School this weekend.