Meet the starting five for the Under 18 Gold Coast Rollers boys and girls championships

The Gold Coast Rollers continue to produce a conveyor belt of talent destined to enjoy careers at US Colleges, NBL and potentially the NBA. Discover the association’s top under-18 players here

Gold Coast Rollers Under-18's player - Emma Petrie

Gold Coast Basketball general manager has thrown out the first jab for the upcoming under-18 state championships.

The best boys and girls of Gold Coast will take to the court in January 2024, looking to dominate the competition on their home court at Gold Coast basketball indoor centre.

General manager of Gold Coast Basketball Joel McInnes said he cannot wait to see the next generation of basketballers take to the court in January.

“Really excited about this opportunity for both the girls and the boys to challenge for the state championships,” McInnes said.

“We are sitting second in the SQJBC for both boys and girls.

“The boys dominated the team sitting first and the girls defeated Logan by eight points, who are first in the girls comp.

“I think Logan beat them the previous seven years in all competitions.

“So it clearly shows we are a massive chance to claim the championships in both boys and girls.

“The only thing for the boys is they haven’t consistently clicked but they play in th eSQJBC finals over the next two weekends, so I feel they will when that comes round.”

The Rollers boys last were state champions in 2017, where the girls missed out on the opportunity last year to make it a four-peat after winning 2020-22.

The tournament runs from January 10 to January 14

Below are the starting five for both the boys and girls under-18 Rollers teams.

The starting five for the U18 Boys Rollers team

Name – Indy Cotton

Age – 16

Team – Gold Coast Rollers

Position – Guard

Gold Coast Rollers Under 18's player – Indy Cotton

Indy has already notched Australian and Queensland representative honours at a Junior Level, bringing home Gold on many occasions. A deadly 3 level scorer, Indy uses his length, speed and athleticism to attack defences, with his opponents defensive principles and schemes primarily aimed to limit his offensive prowess. Indy shows maturity well above his age, and a quiet leadership respected by his peers. He has a silky smooth game, plays at his own pace and the sky is the limit for him.

WHO MAKES GOLD COAST’S GREATEST EVER BASKETBALL TEAM? DISCOVER IT HERE

Name – Donovan Peisley

Age – 16

Team – Gold Coast Rollers

Position – Guard

Gold Coast Rollers Under 18's player – Donovan Peisley

A lightning quick point guard who spaces the court and gets his teammates involved with well timed passes. Donovan prides himself on the defensive side of the ball, guarding the opponent’s best offensive player on a nightly basis. Being able to defend quick guards, swingmen & bigs, Donovan leads with a high basketball IQ. Having represented South Coast and being awarded Most Improved at Gold Coast QSL Youth League Level, Donovan blends into any team with a grit and edge that his teammates love and makes those around him better.

Name – Brodie McGregor

Age – 16

Team – Gold Coast Rollers

Position – Forward

Gold Coast Rollers Under 18's player – Brodie McGregor

Brodie has developed into an extremely versatile player, having guard skills with great size and length. At 6’5”, Brodie penetrates well off the dribble, has a consistent jump shot and underrated defence. Brodie has represented Gold Coast at the QSL Youth League level, and held his own against opponents much older than him throughout the season. Currently part of the State Performance Program, Brodie has aspirations of representing Queensland, and eventually a College pathway. With plenty of room to grow, both in size and ability, Brodie will continue to be an important cog for Gold Coast now and into the future.

Name: Samuel LeGassick

Age – 16

Team – Gold Coast Rollers

Position – Guard

Gold Coast Rollers Under 18's player – Sam LeGassick

Sam is the vocal leader and heart of the Rollers, who always prides himself on leading by example, pushing his limits and accountability. Coming back from a serious knee injury, Sam works tirelessly on his game and is extremely hard to guard when his shot is falling. Applying his craft since double bottom age all the way back in under 12’s, Sam has wonderful ties to the Gold Coast Basketball community, and his work ethic embodies what Gold Coast Basketball is all about. Previously representing Queensland and a part of the current SPP, Sam will look to add another medal to the Cabinet during the upcoming under 18’s State Championships.

Name – Sam Scott

Age – 15

Team – Gold Coast Rollers

Position – Forward

Gold Coast Rollers Under 18's player – Sam Scott

As one of the bottom age players on the team, Sam doesn’t back down from the challenges he sees on a nightly basis. Very crafty around the hoop, Sam has a nose for chasing down offensive rebounds and converting those into key baskets for his team. With a consistent mid range game in which he is ever expanding his accuracy from distance, Sam continues to develop as a young athlete who is always willing to learn and take guidance. Representing Queensland for both School and Rep levels, Sam is also a part of the current SPP Program. Sam will be extremely important to the title aspirations of the Rollers.

The starting five for the U18 Girls Rollers team

Name – Jaya Lowe

Age – 16

Team – Gold Coast Rollers

Position – Guard

Gold Coast Rollers Under 18's player – Jaya Lowe

Jaya has elevated her level of play of both sides of the ball in her final junior rep season. She is a Gold Coast junior through and through and a current U/18 Qld state player. She has seen a real improvement in her decision making and assertiveness throughout games. She runs the team and everyone else feeds off her. She is currently averaging 18.5ppg best for fourth in the competition while also picking up oppositions best players on defence. The example coaches want when they want others to think of their team.

Name – Rica Chanel Enriquez-Paea

Age – 16

Team – Gold Coast Rollers

Position – Guard

Gold Coast Rollers Under 18's player – Rica Chanel Enriquez-Paea

Recently played for New Zealand at the U/16 Asia Cup which was a huge achievement. She has improved her game and most noticeably on the defensive end of the floor. She has always been able to shoot to the ball but its been her commitment to the tough stuff and her decision making that has seen her greatest improvements this season. We look forward to continue watching her develop as she is another young lady that has played her whole junior career with Gold Coast.

Name – Isabel Tieppo

Age – 15

Team – Gold Coast Rollers

Position – Guard

Gold Coast Rollers Under 18's player – Isabel Tieppo

Izzy has recently relocated from Cairns and has been a very welcome addition to the team. She is bottom age player but is playing well beyond her years. She is one of the elite defenders in the competition and knows she will always get the best player to defend every game. She does it in her own quiet manner but there is a real competitive fire that burns within this young player. She is elite on the fast break and creates extra points through her speed down the floor.

Name – Jayla Cassidy

Age – 15

Team – Gold Coast Rollers

Position – guard/forward

Gold Coast Rollers Under 18's player – Jayla Cassidy

Jayla is a really good story for all junior representative players. Another Gold Coast junior throughout her whole basketball journey where at times she has found herself in and out of Division 1 throughout her junior career but has never complained once. She always just went back to work because she loves the game of basketball and the process of improving every day. A tough as nails player who will put her body on the line every game to do whatever she can to help her team win. Her skills have continued to improve through her hard work and she is starting to find more success in every facet of the game as a result.

Name – Emma Petrie

Age – 16

Team – Gold Coast Rollers

Position – Forward

Gold Coast Rollers Under 18's player – Emma Petrie

Another young player that has formed the core of this team since U/12. Current U/18 Queensland player leading the competition in scoring at 24ppg she has been a vital cog in the teams success this season. At 6’2, she has the ability to play on the perimeter or inside to try and take advantage of her size and athleticism on both ends of the floor. Having been coached by Pero Cameron in the Lady Rollers NBL1 program last year she has been able to bring that experience back to her junior basketball this season. The team will go as this young lady goes for the rest of the season.