Clubs announce teams for new Basketball Qld competition starting August 8
We’re just two weeks away from tip-off in Basketball Queensland’s new elite senior competition and hoops fans are in for a treat with Opals and NBL stars set to suit up. SEE WHO’S PLAYING WHERE HERE.
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It’s been almost a year but elite state-league basketball in Queensland is back.
And despite clubs being hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, teams from around the revamped Queensland State League are raising the stakes after putting together some star-studded lists.
As we prepare for tip-off on August 8, clubs have released their team lists and hoops fans are in for a treat with Australian Opals, NBL stars and one player, who recently spent time in an NBA system set to take the floor.
And in even better news, The Courier-Mail will livestream a game of the round each week, with more details coming soon.
For the full QSL draw, click here.
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GPS BASKETBALL: TEAM LISTS REVEALED AS SEASON TIPS-OFF
SEE THE FULL TEAM LISTS:
BRISBANE CAPITALS
– Brisbane Bullets star and last season’s NBL Sixth Man of the Year, Jason Cadee, will return for the defending champion Brisbane Capitals alongside fellow Bullet Cameron Goldfinch and a host of local talent, including former junior Jarred Bairstow and Nick Stoddart. While in the women, Michael Van Dongen will lead a young list led by captain Emma Read and returning talents such as Maddie Woodford.
MEN: Jarred Bairstow, Jason Cadee, Cameron Goldfinch, Anthony Kopcikas, Tim Soong, Ben Wilson, Lachlan Venus, Didan Toto, Nick Stoddart
Coach: Sean Connelly
WOMEN: Emma Read (captain), Maddie Woodford, Raquel Spies, Emma Glenn, Grace George, Meg Essex, Adelaide Fuller, Audrey Fuller, Georgia Woolley, Grace Champion, Ella Paleaae-Cook
Coach: Michael Van Dongen
GOLD COAST ROLLERS
– You can’t go past last year’s grand finalists in both the men and women and with both teams to feature almost identical lists without their imports, they will still challenge the new QSL competition. Along with young New Zealand star Flynn Cameron, the Rollers have also added former Townsville Croc Tom Howard to their roster. In the women, the Lady Rollers will be led by experienced talents such as Susannah Walmsley, Sarah Ambrose and more who helped lead the team to the QBL grand final in 2019.
MEN: Flynn Cameron, Willie Lum Kon, Tom Howard, Jaze Morris, Brent Wallace, Levi Frankland, Tobias Cameron, Jalen Patton Croker, Adrian LaFleur, TJ Diop, Harry Kerr, Sam Mayer, Matt McKewin
Coach: John Szigeti
WOMEN: Sarah Ambrose, Susannah Walmsley, Kisha Lee, Siarn Woods, Christine Obermeier, Carleigh Patrick, Courtney Peate, Lilly Rotunno, Skye Mason, Indiah Bowyer, Casey Walker, Halle Brooker
Coach: Cassie Dover
IPSWICH FORCE
– Boasting a team full of local Ipswich talents, the Force will once again be led by skipper Jason Ralph as well as returning junior Ryan Jeffries and exciting guard Jesse Ghee. In the women, the Force’s preseason was hindered after the departure of coach Brad George to South West but the team still features former WNBL player Amy Lewis and experienced QBL players such as Georgia Ralph and Rachel Mate.
MEN: Jesse Ghee, Jason Ralph, Michael Fleming, Ryan Jeffries, Alec Godinet, Kane Bishop, Cooper Ward, Mitchell Poulain, Joel Rees
Coach: Chris Riches
WOMEN: Amy Lewis, Georgia Ralph, Rachel Mate, Catherine MacGregor, Grace Ellis, Loie Webb, Grace Hughes, Kate Head, Brooklyn Betham, Jessica Taylor, Claudia Ott, Charlotte Hegvold, Lauren Morris Valerius
Coach: Terry Lindenburg
LOGAN THUNDER
– The Thunder will be looking to make a statement in the revamped QSL with strong rosters in both the men and women’s competition. Chris Cedar joins older brother, Michael, to form a dynamic back-court in Logan and along with former NBL player Mitch Young, young guns Kian Dennis, Boston Mazlin and experienced sharpshooter Thomas Ammar, the Thunder will be a threat. In the women, Logan bring their full team from the cancelled NBL1 competition with star trio Mikhaela Cann, Mikaela Ruef and Ashley Taia returning from 2019 and former WNBL player and NZ Tall Fern Chevannah Paalvast adding to the team’s star power.
MEN: Michael Cedar, Chris Cedar, Mitch Young, Thomas Ammar, Kian Dennis, Boston Mazlin, Tendekai Machando, Elijah Puna, Atem Bior, Moses Majok, Ben Lealofi, Ranko Puseljic, Tane Kirisome, Tyrone Fui, Jermaine Fui
Coach: Luke Cann
WOMEN: Mikhaela Cann, Mikaela Ruef, Ashley Taia, Chevannah Paalvast, Alana Fraser, Dani Bayes, Cassie Carroll, Carla Drennan, Maya Entrop, Lisa Barnett Keresoma, Mary Barnett Keresoma, Lylah Spring
Coach: Brayden Heslehurst
NORTHSIDE WIZARDS
– Stepping up to the top-tier competition in Queensland for the first time since 2015, the Northside Wizards will be looking to test themselves against the best after dominating the SBL in recent seasons. Guard Luke Stewart will lead the team along with talents like Zach Williams-Hook, Hayden Burrow and some other up and coming players. The women’s team will be looking to do the same except they have received a major boost after adding new Townsville Fire WNBL recruit Courtney Woods.
MEN: Jacob Arthur, Jordan Brooks, Hayden Burrow, Bayley Crawford, Cameron Crispe, Tim Habelito, Ben Harwin, Fraser Lowrie, Ben Mitchell, Branden Pallier, Josh Potter, James Ringholt, Seton Samson, Mitchell Stanton, Luke Stewart, Cameron Thew, Zach Williams-Hook
Coach: Nick Roberts
WOMEN: Ashley Aughterson, Kayla Beverley, Chloe Buchan, Esther Fleming, Saskia Gunness, Ella Hogan, Molly Hogan, Georgia McCarron, Kalista Niu, Alice O’Driscoll, Stephanie Reid, Regan Turnour-McCarty, Ella White, Courtney Woods
Coach: Don McCarron
NORTH GOLD COAST SEAHAWKS
– North Gold Coast will be led in the women by former college player and the experienced Emily Allen alongside a talented young crew in Ella Brow, Jessica Boundy. For the men, the core group is back from last season in Jordi Anger, Jordan Baleikatuba with a couple of additions in Ridge Gameron mixed in with their young core of Jai Clarke, Spencer Taleni, Maika Shortland and Jesse Lomax.
MEN: Jesse Lomax, Jai Clarke, Kieran Minto, Mikael Willie, Jordi Anger, Jordan Baleikatuba, Spencer Taleni, Maika Shortland, Ethan Crees, Wilson Page, Cody Meuleman, Loseli Tupou, Jack Mackenzie, Ridge Gameren, Angus Davis, Donovan Russell, Joshua Smith, Jai Clarke, Jaleel Georgetown
Coach: Brad Kann
WOMEN: Yarra Adnum Lamb, Emily Allen, Jessica Boundy, Ella Brow, Aimee
Durbidge, Jasmine Hunter, Lauren Jansen, Josie Josiah, Stephanie Newbold, Tayla Sleaford, Codi Tiedeman, Seminita Tuhega
Coach: Paula Jansen
REDCITY ROAR
– Newcomers RedCity Roar have made the biggest statement of any teams with their recruitment, in both the men and the women. The club, based out of Redlands, brought in William McDowell-White who most recently played for Houston Rockets’ G-League affiliate, while also adding his brother, Darryl, new Brisbane Bullets recruit Harry Froling and another young gun in Verle Williams. In the women, RedCity have added Australian Opal and WNBL star Lauren Mansfield as well as New Zealand Tall Fern Ashleigh Karaitiana to boost their campaign.
MEN: Darryl McDowell-White, William McDowell-White, Harry Froling, Verle Williams Jnr, Daniel Cornwell, Declan Grimes, Heath Gameren, Scott White, Jean-Luc Morel, Cody Turnbull, Lewis Jackson, Merveil Nk, Mitch Hunt, Blake Notman, David Ngody, Jay Mitchell
Coach: Ian Hibberd
WOMEN: Ajiah Pepe, Ashleigh Karaitiana, Brianna Trego, Charmian Mellars, Chrystal Cooper, Georgia Short, Jane Morrell, Jaylen Cooper, Jesse Vao, Karlene Kingi, Kayla Kiriau, Laura MacKillop, Lauren Mansfield, Lorna Shepherd, Myka Arthur, Opal Mader, Penelope Lynch, Scarlett Herd
Coach: John Cooper
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS SPARTANS
– Coached by Australian basketball legend and current Brisbane Bullets assistant coach Cj Bruton, the Spartans men will boast NBL star Anthony Drmic as well as young superstar Tamuri Wigness and veteran Mika Vukona. That will be on top of several young NBL talents in big men Callum Dalton and Tyrell Harrison and along with some exciting local talents and maybe some other NBL players joining the squad, will be a team to watch. In the women, the Spartans are champions until proven otherwise after winning the past three QBL titles and bringing back majority of last year’s team along with the addition of Kalani Purcell.
MEN: Tamuri Wigness, Mika Vukona, Anthony Drmic, Josh Derksen, Cal Dalton, Tyrell Harrison, Jake Allen, Andre Ugrinic, Ben Hastings, Sam Korst, Kon Anguik, Anei Muorter, Akol Mawein
Coach: CJ Bruton
WOMEN: Kalani Purcell, Natalie Taylor, Odette Isaac, Karli Currie, Bec Haynes, Maddy Willey, Emily Preston, Keeley Belford, Kassie Donnelly
Coach: Aja Parham-Ammar
SOUTH WEST METRO PIRATES
- The South West Metro Pirates continue the trend of star-studded rosters in the men’s competition after the additions of Brisbane Bullets big man Matt Hodgson as well as new recruit Tanner Krebs. The pair also join former NBL players Mathiang Muo and player/coach Jeremy Kendle along with other impressive talents including Jono Mines, Max Kerle and Kai Woodfall. In the women, the Pirates will boast a young roster but are boosted by the recruitments of coach Brad George from Ipswich and his captain during his time at the Force, Bree Farley.
MEN: Matt Hodgson, Tanner Krebs, Mathiang Muo, Max Kerle, Jono Mines, Kai Woodfall, James Griffin, Atem Atem, Christian Pang, Cameron Gordon
Coach: Jeremy Kendle
WOMEN: Bree Farley, Amanda Beatson, Courtney Taylor, Awhina Axam, Savannah Au, Emily-Kate Parker, Telesia Manumaleuga, Kristy -Lee Farley, Susan McHugh
Coach: Brad George
SUNSHINE COAST PHOENIX
– Featuring all Sunshine Coast products, the Phoenix will put an exciting product on the floor in the men. Former Adelaide 36ers development player Jamaal Robateau along with Nelson Kahler and Jonathan Jansen, the Michael Goff-coached team will be a tough challenge every game. In the women, the Phoenix welcome back Amy Browne as well as Nat Saunders and Caitlin Clancy, with a host of young talents getting their first shot at the top level.
MEN: Nelson Kahler, Jamaal Robateau, Bede Hooper, Josh Walters, Jonathan Jansen, Oscar Cluff, Connor Ward, Zane Meehl, Jye Byrne, Noah Benjamin, Anthony Kleine, Zeke Meehl, Malakai Mitchell
Coach: Michael Goff
WOMEN: Amy Browne, Caitlin Clancy, Natalie Saunders, Jane Lester, Ashleigh Frampton, Amy Benjamin, Emma Benjamin, Holly Smith, Hayley Cotter, Zoe Byrne, Alana Tacey
Coach: Darren Browne
TOOWOOMBA MOUNTAINEERS
– The Toowoomba Mountaineers men’s team welcome back local talent Paul Aleer as well as exciting guard Daniel Sims from last year’s team but it’s former Cairns player and young gun JaKobe Hunter who should give the side a much-needed boost for the upcoming QSL competition.
MEN: JaKobe Hunter, Daniel Sims, Joseph Johnson, Paul Aleer, Josh Allen, Adam Gehrig, Will Mitchell, Seth Ham, Noah Silcox-Smith, Deng Makuach, Malat Makuach, Ajay Yaak, Bailey Nwanevu, Mitchell Davis, Kresto Waal
Coach: Matt Cox
WOMEN: N/A
Coach: Karina Agius
UNIVERSITY OF SUNSHINE COAST RIP
– Newest Australian Opal Maddi Rocci is the biggest name in this year’s USC Rip program with the guard and two-time WNBL championship winner to lead her young team into the QSL season. In the men, the Rip will boast experienced brothers Isaih Tueta and Josh Tueta along with hard-nosed defender Louis Ilton as well as sharpshooter Matt Hancock with several young guns also expected to get some exposure against senior opposition.
MEN: Isaih Tueta, Matthew Hancock, Louis Ilton, Joshua Tueta, Tyler Allen, Dane Glover, Elias Cato, Toby Campbell, Seb Morris, Callum Parsons
Coach: Nathan Arousi
WOMEN: Bianca McDonald, Liisa Up, Katherine Up, Maddison Rocci, Brooke Fenwick, Layla Prince, Meghan Ditchburn, Yasmin Miller, Ashleigh Blake
Coach: Jamie Glover