Toowoomba Mountaineers lose to Rip City in QSL semi-final thriller
The QSL 1 men’s peak – a grand final spot – was in touching distance for the Toowoomba Mountaineers on Saturday but Rip City had other in a thrilling semi-final showdown.
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BASKETBALL: Since early January the Toowoomba Mountaineers have been climbing.
Each point, block, steal and win took them closer to their dream – a QSL 1 premiership.
That dream however, was shattered on Saturday at the second to last peak with the Mountaineers losing 75-74 to USC Rip City in the men’s semi-final.
With just seconds remaining veteran guard Jason Ebneter had the chance to seal an epic win but his shot ‘fell short’.
“It was a very sombre dressing room after the game,” Mountaineers player Cameron Weber, who missed the game through injury, said.
“It’s a long season, starting all the way back in January and to come up a game short of the grand final makes it really tough.
“I think you’d rather it be a close one as opposed to a blowout – especially if they (Rip City) go on to win it next weekend.
“Knowing you went so close to beating them. It’s still hard to take though.”
The clash was exactly what you expect of a semi-final affair with ‘pretty basketball’ shelved in favour of grit and determination.
The lead changed hands 33 times throughout and while the Mountaineers held the lead for 25.09 minutes compared to Rip City’s 9.06 minutes, their biggest lead was just eight points.
Despite the loss Weber couldn’t find any faults in his side’s performance.
“I don’t think the boys did anything wrong – things just didn’t fall our way,” he said.
“I think there was a lot of nervous energy from both sides.
“We expected it to be a real dogfight and you saw that in the game with one team going on a run and the other fighting back before going on a run of their own.
“It shows why at the professional level they play a minimum of three games in finals.
“We could play this game again in a few days and have a totally different result.”
Ebneter topped the scorer’s list with 22 points and was well supported by teammates James Wol (16) and Bailey Nwanevu (11).
Tom Cordwell was Rip City’s best scoring 19.
SQUAD ANALYSIS
WOMEN
Kirrily Werth: A Toowoomba junior with a great outside shot making the step from the Toowoomba Basketball League to Queensland State League.
Phoebe Hinz: Uses her physical skills to her advantage around the rim. A Toowoomba junior who is a great rebounder and finisher in close and expected to have a big impact this season.
Kirstyn Lunnis: A big signing who brings American college and SBL experience. A great post target who knows how to score down low.
Taylor Ferris: An athletic stretch-four with good ball. Runs the ball in transition who can hit the outside shot and post up.
Rebecca Scott: An under-18 junior who has really developed her outside shot in the off-season and is stepping up as development player.
Laura Conway: A young star on the rise who gives 100 per cent in every game. A great defender willing to put her body on the line and exciting player to watch in offensive transition phases of play.
Brittany Hayes: One of the Mountaineers veterans and a natural leader in the side. A strong outside shooter – Hayes has worked hard on the defensive side of her game and will be one of the squad’s best.
Katey Holt: All the signs point to a breakout season with Holt stepping up to a starting role. A fast athletic guard with a great three-point shot.
Kianah Lynch: With a year of QSL experience under her belt the young star is expected to make her mark at the offensive end this season.
Ash Lynch: Playing alongside her twin Kianah, Ash can also draw on the experience she gained last season in the QSL. A well-rounded player with few flaws in her game.
Raquel Spies: Last year’s team MVP, Spies averaged close to 13 points and 10 rebounds a game. A real two-way player the 2022 Mountaineers captain will be key to her side’s performances this year.
Shenali Mikkelsen: Another junior ready to face the challenge of her first QSL season. An athletic wing-player who loves to drive to the hoop but also has a good outside shot.
Michaela Allen-Gullion: The Canadian import is the point guard the Mountaineers were crying out for last season. Expect Allen-Gullion to have an immediate impact on the offensive and experience at the college will be invaluable in the development of the Mountaineers juniors.
MEN
Mitch Davis: A great shot blocker and rim protector – Davis excellent communication skills will help the Mountaineers lockdown opposition players.
John Dhuol: Dhuol adds experience and maturity to the line-up having played for the Warwick Senators in the West Australian state league. A great defensive rebounder who can find his teammates with the right pass and score under the basket.
Jason Ebneter: A name well known to Toowoomba Basketball fans. Ebneter knows how to control the pace of any game and is a lock down defender.
Adam Gehrig: Back with the Neers after four years of college ball in the USA and Canada. He brings leadership, experience and a great shot to the team.
Seth Ham: A huge presence in the key, Ham will test most interior defences. The big man can also knock down the three.
Bailey Nwanevu: A coach’s dream – the athletic junior will give 100 per cent in any role at any time.
James Paringatai: The New Zealander’s resume speaks for itself with Paringatai having played in national under-20 and U23 teams and 13 seasons in the New Zealand National Basketball League. He is a leader, great communicator, accurate shooter and plays with controlled aggression.
Patrick Roche: Roche is the ultimate teammate – bringing energy and support off the bench. The Neers big man makes his biggest mark in defence but is also capable of stretching teams on the offensive end.
Sam Wall: A determined and competitive junior making the step up to the senior squad. The Warwick local is a skilled ball handler who loves the dribble drive and has a good touch at close, mid and three point range.
Cameron Weber: Home after a few seasons with the Ipswich Force, Weber is an incredible signing for the Neers. A deadly perimeter shooter with a high basketball IQ at both ends of the court.
David Werth: The Mountaineers program is part of Werth’s DNA with guard playing from under-12s through to QSL1. Werth is currently recovering from an injury and his return will be a welcome one with his ability to find teammates with the pass and take the tough jobs in defence.
James Wol: One of the Gold Coast’s leading shooters last season, Wol is back with his junior club. A ‘hustler’ on defence who runs the ball well and pulls down the rebounds.
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