Halle Shipton named in Queensland team after starring for Darling Downs at Queensland School Sport Titles

Young Toowoomba Mountaineers star Halle Shipton has put the state on notice after she starred for the Darling Downs at the Queensland School Sport Titles. Check out her story here.

Halle Shipton takes to the court for the Toowoomba Mountaineers. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Darling Downs basketball young gun Halle Shipton has added another feather to her cap after she was named in the honorary Queensland squad at the recent Queensland School Sport Titles.

The Mountaineers QSL rising star was a key figure for the Darling Downs and showed her versatility on offence with a wide range of baskets.

Shipton was the second-highest points scorer for her age group with 20.71 points per game with her best performance against Northern where she scored 30 points and made an impressive six three-pointers.

This is the second time Shipton has made her mark on the tournament after making the Queensland team last year.

“It was awesome, I was really excited,” Shipton said.

“I got named in it (the Queensland team) last year in year 11, so it was a big relief to get it in the second year – it was an honour.”

After a difficult draw where Darling Downs took on the three best sides early in the competition, Shipton helped lead the team to fifth place overall.

“It was a tough start, we lost three of four games in the pool but we pulled it together at the end and came the highest we could after losing that many games in the pool stage,” she said.

“I think I had a very slow start, I wasn’t connecting with my shots towards the beginning.

“The rest of team helped me get rolling and I think overall I played a really good tournament.

“In the game against Northern I finally hit my first three and that’s what made me sigh of relief and just everything from then on started clicking.”

Between coaching junior Mountaineers and playing at various levels, there is rarely a moment which goes by where Shipton is not involved with basketball.

“I play basketball every single day, I coach as well the under-14s girls Mountaineers,” she said

“I assistant coach that and whenever I’m not playing I’m always doing something with basketball.”

Halle Shipton for the Toowoomba Mountaineers. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Shipton said the experience coaching the junior Mountaineers has helped her improve different aspects of her game.

In terms of future goals, she has her sights set on continuing to impress at QSL level with the Mountaineers and hopes both team and individual success can help propel her to greater heights.

“I am hoping to get a chance to play for the Queensland under-20s squad but if that is not able to happen then I really want to play NBL1 down the line and continue to play basketball,” Shipton said.

Toowoomba Mountaineers QSL women’s coach Matt Cox was delighted to see one of the promising talents in the program show her class against opposition her own age.

“Halle is a fantastic player and has risen to the starting line-up and she is big piece in our QSL team,” Cox said.

“It is awesome to see her dominate in her own age group and showcase her talent.

“She’s putting a lot of time into development and when she goes and competes in her own age group, she dominates.

“We are trying to lift her into the senior standard where she has the talent but her role differs a bit in the QSL but she is getting a whole bunch of experience.”