Star-studded junior field to shine at Basketball Qld’s CBSQ tournament on the Gold Coast
A star-studded field full of bright young prospects are set to hit the court at the Basketball Queensland CBSQ tournament as we name the players to watch. SEE WHO MADE IT
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Nothing brings out memorable performances like school pride and this week will be no different with a star-studded field of talent set to hit the court at the Champion Basketball School of Queensland tournament.
The tournament, hosted at the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Complex, will tip-off tomorrow with the grand finals played on Sunday afternoon.
And in even better news for basketball fans, the action will be livestreamed by NewsCorp.
But before the players take the court, read about the top 20 talents to watch at the 2021 CBSQ tournament.
INDIAH BOWYER – PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN
A talented and versatile young star, who can play all five positions on the court, Bowyer helped PBC to last year’s grand final and has a year of NBL1 experience under her belt. A Queensland representative throughout juniors, who has also been a member of national squads, the Cairns product is sure to put together some big games at this week’s tournament and she will need to if PBC are to replicate last year’s success.
DANIELLE BAYES – SHELDON COLLEGE
Arguably the best shooter at the competition, and around the country for her age, Danielle Bayes has led Sheldon towards the top of the Champ Division rankings after the Redlands-based school played in Division 2 just two years ago. The shooting guard has had some performances to remember in recent years at CBSQ, including 40-plus point games last year, and if she can catch fire, it will be a performance fans will need to watch.
SKYE MASON – SOUTHPORT STATE HIGH SCHOOL
A smart and savvy forward who knows how to get it done in big games, Skye Mason will once again lead Southport State High School’s hopes at CBSQ. Having won championship after championship with representative side, Gold Coast, Mason who can make big plays at both ends of the floor is a bright young prospect coming through the ranks, who would have benefited from making her NBL1 debut in 2021.
SUMMAH HANSON – BRISBANE STATE HIGH SCHOOL
One of the brightest young prospects in Queensland, Summah Hanson is a mobile and athletic forward who at such a young age, already has an impressive resume. The Southern Districts Spartan can do damage at both ends of the floor and at her size, proves a difficult challenge for other bigs because of her ability to get out in transition and run the floor as well. Hanson will lead a very talented but young State High side.
HAYLEY MCDOWELL-WHITE – CAPALABA STATE HIGH SCHOOL
Moving from State High to Capalaba, Hayley McDowell-White will lead the side who gained a wildcard into the Champ Division for this year’s tournament. The lengthy, smart and savvy point guard is an elite defender but can also take over a game offensively by creating for others or for herself when she needs to.
MIA BYRNE – MOUNTAIN CREEK STATE HIGH SCHOOL
Leading the hopes of Sunshine Coast school is young guard Mia Byrne, who has played in the open’s tournament since a young age but now will be the leader for Mountain Creek. Byrne is an offensive talent that opposition teams will have their focus on as the youngster can prove difficult to stop when she gets going, especially from the three-point line.
JADE PEACOCK – HILLCREST CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
A versatile forward who can play several positions on the court, Jade Peacock is coming into CBSQ on the back of a successful senior season in the QSL1 with the Gold Coast Rollers. Peacock knows how to make the big plays when they matter the most and will look to add another CBSQ title to the long list of junior championships on her resume.
LAYLA-J CAMERON – HILLCREST CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
Making her long-awaited return from a knee injury, Layla-J Cameron will be a talent not only Gold Coast fans will be excited to see back on the court but people around the basketball community in general. The daughter of legendary New Zealand Tall Black, Pero Cameron, the point guard is known for her high basketball IQ and ability to make plays on both ends of the floor.
KATELYN DONOVAN – SOUTHPORT STATE HIGH SCHOOL
Another player coming into the tournament after representing the Gold Coast in the QSL1 women’s grand final, Donovan will be looking to go one step further at CBSQ with her Southpirt side. The guard, known for her ability to defend and make big shots, will need to be at her best for Southport this week if the school is to feature at the business end of the tournament.
HARRISON PENNISI – CHURCHIE
One of the few remaining pieces from Churchie’s GPS and CBSQ winning side in 2020, Harrison Pennisi is one of Queensland’s best young big men. Pennisi played a massive role in the team’s success last year but will need to record some big individual performances, just as he did during this year's GPS season, if Churchie are to put some wins on the board at the Gold Coast.
LOGAN HIPPOLITE – ST JAMES’ COLLEGE
A unique guard with length, Logan Hippolite can really cause issues for opposing defences with his ability to get to his spots off pick and rolls and in transition. And with St James playing their natural fast-paced style of game, Hippolite could do some damage and put together some impressive games over the competition.
PRESTON LEGASSICK – TSS
Probably the best player in the boys competition, Preston Le Gassick will be motivated to lead his TSS side to a state championship victory after the dynamic guard and skipper helped his team to an undefeated record in this year’s GPS competition. But due to Covid lockdowns, no premiership was awarded, which will make the fire burn even more for Le Gassick, who also impressed during his debut NBL1 season.
LLOYD MCVEIGH – TSS
Another reason why TSS are undefeated so far in 2021 is the play of forward Lloyd McVeigh. The perfect player to combine with Le Gassick, McVeigh has had another stellar year on the court both at the school level and representative level, also playing for the Gold Coast Rollers in the NBL1 competition. With the ability to make offensive plays from anywhere on the floor, McVeigh will have a huge say in his team’s success this week.
SAMUEL GEU – TOOWOOMBA GRAMMAR SCHOOL
One of the best athletes coming through the junior ranks in Queensland basketball, Samuel Geu has burst onto the scene over the past year, helping the Toowoomba Mountaineers to a rare semi-final appearance in this year’s Under-16 State Championships and being one of the top rebounders in this year’s GPS competition. Geu has the ability to consistently play above the rim, which is invaluable at this level.
HARRISON ROUHLIADEFF – VILLANOVA COLLEGE
Could this be the year an AIC school achieves the rare feat of winning a medal at CBSQ? Well, Villanova have a chance and a big reason behind this is their big man Harrison Rouhliadeff as well as his running mate, in guard Will Mahoney. The young forward/centre has a big year, making his way into the Spartans NBL1 team and contributing and will need to use that experience to lead the Coorparoo-based school to victory this week.
MASON AMOS – BRISBANE STATE HIGH
A versatile big man, who can take over a game at the drop of a hat, Mason Amos will lead from the front as Brisbane State High School look to go one step further than in 2020. Amos has been in impressive form in all forms of the game over the past year, whether he is representing State High or the Southern Districts Spartans, the creative offensive talent will no doubt be one of the leading scorers at the tournament.
GEORDAN PAPACOSTAS – ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE, GREGORY TERRACE
The young man, known as ‘G-Pap’, is motivated to lead his Gregory Terrace team to a medal after several years of falling just short at CBSQ. Papacostas has had a massive year on the court, which including impressing in his debut NBL1 season with the Brisbane Capitals, and will need to dominate and be one of the best players at the tournament for Terrace to have a chance.
MASON DAVIS – NUDGEE COLLEGE
A player with a bit of an ‘old school’ offensive game, Mason Davis is one of the players to watch at the tournament even if it’s just for the emotion and joy he plays with. The versatile guard/forward can shoot from the perimeter, attack the basket and can even do work from the post. But Davis will also lead his Nudgee College team from the front with the youngster known for his celebrations if he or one of his teammates make a big play.
RAFFETY MORRIS – BRISBANE BOYS’ COLLEGE
An elite scorer for his game, Rafferty Morris would be motivated for tournament play after being a late withdrawal from the National Under-18 Championships earlier in the year due to injury. The guard/forward has been a star at the junior level for the Brisbane Capitals and will need to replicate that for BBC at this week’s competition.
KANE RUNNALLS – CAIRNS STATE HIGH
Runnalls is a natural talent, who when he is on can be one of the best talents in Australia. The 208cm guard/forward can impose his will on any game on both ends of the floor and can impact a game in many ways.
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