Revealed: Gold Coast’s top 10 basketball juniors
Double Dribble this week reveals the 10 best young basketballers on the Gold Coast.
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THIS week we are going to list the top 10 basketball juniors on the Gold Coast.
It’s great to see this list is loaded with girls. It’s not surprising with the success female basketball has had on the Coast over the past three years.
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Here’s a list of the best and brightest at the moment. Apologies to those who didn’t make it – there’s a few state players who didn’t make the cut.
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KATIE DEEBLE
A basketball prodigy. Member of Australian under-17 squad. A scoring point guard who constantly put defences under pressure. Has the ability to change the course of the game with her quickness.
Has started at the one spot for the Seahawks QBL this season. Attends Hillcrest Christian College.
Comment: “One of the most fundamentally advanced junior players I have seen in Queensland in 40 years. Has the potential to be the best junior player ever produced on the Gold Coast.”
SHORNA PRESTON
A gifted athlete that towered above all as a junior. Preston has incredible potential for a player with her length and agility. Has made two state teams throughout her junior years. Attends Hillcrest College.
Comment: “Shorna has matured as a team mate and her pathway can lead to the states or the WNBL.”
LILLY ROTUNNO
Always respected as a fierce competitor, Rotunno starred at the recent under-16 nationals for Queensland South. One of the best defenders in Australia with a desire to attack offensively. Attends Hillcrest Christian College.
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SKYE MASON
Mason is a dominant inside presence on the court, having been included in the National Performance Program for the past three years, with a feathery touch around the basket that most athletes her height do not possess.
Has expanded her game to be an elite player and consistently makes state programs.
Attends Southport State High School.
LAYLA-J CAMERON
Being the youngest of the extremely talented Cameron family, Layla has always had a lot to live up to.
It’s never shown as she has consistently achieved at every level. Captain of the national champion under-14 Gold Coast team and member of the Queensland under-16 south team. Attends Hillcrest Christian College.
JESS PETRIE
Daughter of two well respected basketball parents, Anthony and Sarah, Jess has shown immense promise in her junior career.
Part of the Gold Coast nationals champions last year and made the Queensland under-16 state team as a bottom age player this year. Potential to play for Australia one day. Attends Assisi Catholic College.
ELLA BROW
Represented Queensland South at the under-18 National Championships this year. Versatile back court player who is a lock-down defender. Part of Seahawks’ SBL and QBL squads for the current season. Attends Palm Beach Currumbin High School.
CHARLI REECE
Outstanding prospect at the three/four spot.
Has competed effectively as an inside player at SBL and QBL levels in the 2019 season. Excellent basketball pedigree with her dad Matt an NBL star with the Gold Coast Rollers. Attends Hillcrest Christian College. Will attend university in the US next year on a basketball scholarship.
TYLER O’NEILL
The first male on our list is O’Neill, an extremely gifted point guard with arms that go for days. Already a sharp shooter known for hitting threes in bunches, Tyler has made the Queensland development programs and has the potential to play college ball in the states. Attends Hillcrest Christian College.
LLOYD MCVEIGH
Having grown up watching his older brothers play at a high level (including Jack, who played for Australia earlier this year), Mc Veigh is on the fast track to an impressive basketball career.
Long and athletic, Lloyd impressed last year with the state program and was invited to the Australian Development Camp earlier this year. Attends The Southport School.
Honourable mentions:
Jade Peacock, Cael Simpson, Preston LeGassick, Blake Gamble
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