Big V Basketball: Pakenham’s Jake Spruhan prepares to celebrate game 300

A Pakenham star is set to celebrate his 300th game in the Big V Basketball competition as his coach provides an insight into the type of player he is.

Pakenham men’s coach Rob Roberts can’t speak highly enough of Jake Spruhan.

The Warriors captain will this weekend celebrate his 300th Big V game on Sunday in his side’s clash with the Surf Coast Chargers.

Throughout his career which started in 2006, Spruhan has played for several different clubs including the Blackburn Vikings (52 games) where he played as a junior and Sherbrooke Suns (165 matches)

He also enjoyed a 38-game stint with the Warrnambool Seahawks while studying at university.

Sunday’s outing will be his 45th in Pakenham colours.

Spruhan is a former member of the Sherbrooke Suns. Photo: Supplied.

Roberts described his skipper as the “ultimate team player” and someone who was the “epitome of being a basketball player”.

“It’s a massive achievement to play 300 games at this level and I’m proud to have been part of Jake’s journey,” he said on Thursday.

“I met him when he was playing at Sherbrooke and quickly discovered he can play at almost any position.

“He’s able to be a guard and control the tempo of the play, he can run through the lanes as a wing defender and he also allows us to play small ball given his strength on the inside.

“I wouldn’t say he has a specific position on the court. He never asks questions about what he’s being asked to do, he just does it.”

This season, Spruhan has averaged just under 22 minutes a game in five matches he has played and is shooting the ball at 55 per cent from deep.

Spruhan is able to play across all five positions. Photo: Supplied.

Despite starting just one game, Roberts said Spruhan was always willing to accept whatever role was given to him.

“He will happily put his hand up to sit for another guy if one of his teammates is hot,” Roberts explained.

“As captain, he will go and speak to someone if they are having a down day to try and lift them back up.

“And when someone is playing well he will continue to encourage them to keep doing what has been working.”

Spruhan has been forced to wait for his big moment with Covid season delays, a wedding and honeymoon all postponing a game which had originally been scheduled for earlier in the season.

“It’s been quite the wait but it’s something he has been hanging for,” Roberts said.

The Warriors currently sit second on the ladder with a 5-2 record after seven games behind the unbeaten Sherbrooke Suns.

Sunday’s Division 2 Men’s game will tip off at 2pm with the Youth League Women taking on McKinnon in the first match of a double header from 2pm.