Epic feat: Ipswich’s latest Qld champions defy threat

Team that never gives in show why they are Queensland’s Force of the future.

The Ipswich Force under-14 girls basketball team crowned Queensland Division 1 state champions in Mackay.

AS epic gold medal playoffs go, Ipswich's latest state champions can look back for years to come and say they triumphed in a classic encounter.

The Ipswich Force under-14 girls completed their perfect unbeaten season by outlasting the gritty Gold Coast Waves 55-52 in today's Queensland championship Division 1 grand final.
The gripping basketball battle in Mackay could have gone either way until the final seven seconds when captain Prasayus Notoa nailed the most crucial free throw of the game.

Until then, Gold Coast threatened to end Ipswich's incredible run of victories, which built momentum through the BQJBC series where the Force girls also conquered all challengers.

But today's grand final was Ipswich's biggest test.

After defeating their five previous state opponents by between 22 and 62 points, Ipswich suddenly were 10-12 points down for much of the final.

However, as proud coach Charlene Notoa regularly declared: "These girls don't like to lose''.

"They will always fight through,'' Notoa said, encouraging them all the way.

She told them not to be hard on themselves, even when under immense pressure and feeling anxious during the gold medal match.

"Shake off the nerves and you'll do it,'' she said to her girls.

They did, performing doggedly in the last quarter, finally gaining the lead 48-47 with three minutes, 40 seconds remaining.

Gold Coast wouldn't surrender, living up to their reputation of counter-attacking in waves.

Gold Coast tried to regain the lead through a three-point attempt that missed with just 53 second left. Two unsuccessful free throws with nine seconds on the clock also gave the Gold Coast hope of victory.

However, Ipswich also reminded everyone  why they are fittingly called Force.

Despite an uncharacteristic slow start, they battled through the nerves, turnovers and missed shots to hang tough. They trailed 18-10 at quarter time, 30-20 at halftime and 40-36 heading into the final period.

The girls found a way to win when it mattered most.

"We haven't been pressured all season,'' Notoa said, gathering her thoughts at Mackay airport before flying home.

"We literally haven't had close games to the point where Gold Coast - and I've got to give it to the Gold Coast - they came to play.''

Despite the intense challenge, Notoa praised her girls for keeping their composure.

"They held their own,'' she said. "They panicked a bit but they just wound it all back in and went 'okay' (we can win).''

With 7.6 seconds left and Gold Coast still rallying, Notoa told her players to hold the ball and try and secure a foul.

Her team completed the mission to become Queensland champions.

The Ipswich Force under-14 team that won the BQJBC and Queensland titles.

Ever professional coach Notoa and her support network played a vital role. They had prepared the girls well before, during and after the COVID-19 shutdown.

Notoa has immense pride and faith in every member of her team, instilling confidence from their hard work and extra initiative.

The victorious Ipswich Force under-14 girls team is: Isabella Kichen,  Alexis Beasley, Sharni Reisinger, Hayley Rogers, Rhyanna Ape, Isabella Mirkovic, Tereise Reupena, Prasayus Notoa (captain), Harmony Seumanutafa, Artiria Ormsby. Coach: Charlene Notoa. Assistant coach: Max Seumanutafa. Team managers: Clesia Ape and Seta Reupena.

Force players Prasayus, Alexis, Harmony and Rhyanna enjoyed their second state title having also shared in Ipswich's under-12 glory last year.

Today's grand final victory was also a fitting final tribute to popular junior coach Lito Cabili who passed away just before the tournament.

The Ipswich Force team dedicated their success to Lito and his family.

"The whole tournament was pretty much for the Cabili family and the girls pulled through to win it for them,'' Notoa said.

FINE RESPECT: Force tribute to basketball colleague

The head coach also thanked the supporters at the game - from other teams like Cairns, Mackay and Logan.

"They were all there for the girls, cheering them on,'' Notoa said. "That was awesome.''

Ipswich's 2020 amazing girls had cruised into the grand final after beating the Cairns Dolphins 74-46 in Sunday's semi-final.

Ipswich's earlier wins were over Logan 60-32, South West Metro 65-37, Brisbane Capitals Gold 76-14 and host team Mackay 59-28.

That represented winning margins of 165 points across five games heading into the cliffhanger grand final.

But fighting back to clinch the grand final the way they did showed the Force girls have as much spirit as they have skill on the basketball court.

Notoa said the team would plan a community celebration when back in Ipswich, helping the Cabili family after their recent loss.

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