Hunting for a Mountaineers berth

JAKOBE Hunter’s last chance to play with the Mountaineers in 2020 hinges on a Basketball Queensland decision.

New Toowoomba Mountaineers recruit Jakobe Hunter. Picture: Kevin Farmer

BASKETBALL: While the NBL1 North season has been cancelled, there is still a glimmer of hope that the Toowoomba Mountaineers will be able to take to the court in some capacity this year.

Basketball Queensland is set to meet on April 9 to determine the future of the Queensland State League for 2020.

The Mountaineers have entered two teams for the competition, which acts as a feeder to the premier NBL1 North.

Mountaineers NBL1 North coach Martyn Ford said the second-tier league going ahead would allow players to get vital game time, including Jakobe Hunter and Joel Matysek, who ventured down from Cairns for a shot at the top level.

“If the QSL does go ahead we will be looking at loading up the team with NBL1 North locals to keep them in the game,” Ford said.

“With Jakobe and Joel, they both want to stay down here until next season, and the QSL is a good link if they still run the competition.

“It allows us to keep them down here and have a good look at them.”

After spending previous time with the Cairns programs, including the Taipans and Marlins, Hunter has come to Toowoomba in search of an opportunity and for playing.

With the threat of coronavirus forcing the NBL1 North season to be cancelled, and the closure of indoor sporting centres and gyms putting a halt to training, the combo guard

“I was in the gym until midday on the day that it shut,” he said.

“Now I have to figure out ways to stay at home and get some gym work. That could be going for a jog around the block where I live to make sure I stay in game shape and stay ready.

“There’s plenty of hoops in Toowoomba so I know I’ll be able to find a facility when we’re allowed. I’m a healthy guy so I’m not too worried about it, but I know that I have to be responsible and do the right thing.”

Having found himself under the tutelage of top-line players in the tropics, Hunter said he has learnt a lot about the game, and where he can get to.

“I was a training player with the Cairns Taipans and I’ve been looking for an opportunity to play in a program where I get more minutes,” he said.

“I got in contact with Matt Cox (Mountaineers assistant coach) and from there he told me the situation, what he could provide for me and it just went from there.

“With the Taipans I was trying to learn off the players there and at the Marlins I came off the bench behind the likes of Anthony Fisher, George Blagojevich and Fabian Krslovic.

“All these guys were close friends of mine. I know where they're at and I know where I’m at.

“I know they’re my friends but at the end of the day I’m trying to pursue an NBL basketball career, and to do that I have to take on the best players out there.”

The combo guard said he hopes to bring a team-first mentality to the team in the hopes of building up success of the Mountaineers if given the chance.

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