QSL tip-off: Every Mountaineers star player you need to watch

The Toowoomba Mountaineers proved they were a force to be reckoned with last year. Ahead of their 2023 QSL season start we’ve the run the rule over every male and female player. Check out our full squad and season analysis here.

Britt Hayes will captain the Toowoomba Mountaineers.

Eager to build on the successes of last year, the Toowoomba Mountaineers will look to climb the QSL ladder once again this season.

Last season’s ‘finale’ was bittersweet for the men’s side – back in the play-offs for the first time in a decade the men set their sights on an elusive championship.

USC Rip City however shattered the Mountaineers’ dreams winning a thrilling semi-final 75-74.

New men’s coach Sean Connelly has assembled a squad set to push for the title again.

Proven big game veterans Cameron Weber, Adam Gehrig and Seth Ham will be on court alongside youthful new additions like Samuel Geu and Rufaro Zimbwa.

“We showed last season we were a competitive group and we really should’ve won the semi-final,” Connelly said.

“It’s important to start every season fresh but we do have those building blocks in place and we want to improve on the successes of last season.

“We’ve got a team capable of winning the championship, it won’t be easy but with the culture we have created here, holding each other accountable and working to improve ourselves every session I think we can do it.”

Cameron Weber lead the Mountaineers in points per game in 2022.

Cameron Weber: The veteran guard lives and breathes Toowoomba basketball. Weber came home last season and played a huge role in the team’s success on and off the court. Weber is a proven big game player, scorer and leader.

Adam Gehrig: Mountaineers officials believe the talented forward should’ve been part of the QSL’s MVP discussions last season. A true two-way player who can and does impact both ends of the floor.

Jacob Davis: A leading light at the Brisbane Capitals for the past 10 seasons, Davis brings experience and leadership to the Garden City. He will lift the level of play at the club by holding the players around him accountable. A threat on offence with shooting and ability to slash to the basket.

Samuel Wall (left) of Toowoomba Mountaineers shoots over Cooper Sparksman of Rip City in the Queensland State League Division 1 men’s semi-final. Both players will line up for the Mountaineers this season.

Cooper Sparksman: Playing for the USC Rip City, Sparskman tore apart the Mountaineers in last season’s semi-final. The former Toowoomba junior, who has always wanted to play in the senior side, is a dynamic guard and good set shooter.

Sameul Wall: A great facilitator who always finds the right pass, Wall has been working hard in the off-season. If his ‘floater’ game is on song this season he will be a valuable contributor off the bench.

William Mitchell: The veteran centre’s unorthodox style and high basketball IQ make him a handful for any opposition.

Seth Ham: The Mountaineers centre has the potential to be one of the game’s best ‘big men’. Near impossible to stop in the paint he can stretch the floor and create space with his long range shot as well.

Patrick Roche will be a starter for the Mountaineers this season.

Patrick Roche: The dynamic forward has earned himself a starting jersey with sweat and handwork in the off-season. Roche is athletic, a great presence around the hoop and can shoot from range.

Samuel Geu: The Toowoomba Grammar School senior has bags of potential. There’s a good chance Geu will end up in the US college system but for now he could be the Mountaineers X-Factor. He’s athletic, versatile and throws the ball down with ease.

Toowoomba Grammar's Samuel Geu will debut for the Mountaineers this season.

Rufaro Zimbwa: A late addition to the team who has slotted in seamlessly. Zimbwa has been working on his offensive but his best work is on the defensive end. The young guard, who won the GPS basketball title with schoolmate Samuel Geu last year, is relentless off the ball always pressuring his opposite number.

Christopher Longford: The big-bodied centre dominates the boards. A double-double threat every game Longford will be a key figure during the side’s rotations.

Mitchell Davis: A brilliant rim protector who is also developing a great offensive game.

Women’s squad

The Mountaineers knocked on the playoff door last season but missed out on finals due on ‘points differential’ after a six-way tie for second place.

It was a frustrating end to a season full of promise but Cox believes his squad are better for the experience.

Making the step up into senior competition a number of Toowoomba juniors proved themselves against more fancied opposition.

Those performances coupled with the return of some seasoned veterans has the Mountaineers primed for big year.

“We showed plenty of promise last season,” Cox said.

“We beat the top four teams and were a win away from the making play-offs.

“Our juniors showed glimpses of greatness off the bench and are better for the experience.

“That experience coupled with the return of some very good veterans is very promising.”

With a competitive season of QSL action under their belts young guns Laura Conway, Ashleigh and Kianah Lynch will no doubt lift their games this year.

The addition of veteran star Francis Donders coupled with the return of Tracey Twidale is also a massive boost for the team.

Charlotte Melksham: Joining the club from Northside Wizards (under-18s), Melksham is a tall, fast forward who a good shooting touch who uses her wingspan to great effect in defence.

Katey Holt: A veteran presence who is a reliable shooter and has great speed down the court.

Kianah Lynch: The 17-year-old was a great role player of the bench last season. A quality outside shooter and talented point guard – Lynch is a positive and influential leader and will wear the vice-captain’s armband,

Jasmine Collier: Making the move from Brisbane, Collier moves the ball well, is a quality defender and a supportive teammate.

Britt Hayes: Hayes is the type of captain every coach wants in their squad. A calming presence who leads by example as much as her word and has a wonderful character on and off the court. She is excellent in transition and a dangerous shooter from the corner.

Tracey Twidale: It is hard to picture the Mountaineers without their veteran guard. Twidale is one of the hardest workers in the league, controls the floor well and has a great outside shot.

Gabrielle Seaby: A great post-up player who uses her strength to great effect. Works hard to rebound – something the Mountaineers sorely missed last season.

Francis Donders was a key player in the second half of last season.

Francis Donders: A triple double threat every game – Donders has the potential to be one of the league’s top players. Proving just how influential she can be the Mountaineers went 7 and 1 in the second half of the season when Donders and Twidale were in the squad.

Halle Shipton: A Toowoomba junior who has made the move home after promising stints in the US and NSW. Shipton is a top notch scorer.

Kirstyn Lunniss led the Mountaineers in points per game average last season.

Kirstyn Lunniss: Arguably one of the Mountaineers most important off-season re-signings. Lunnis is a great target in the post and lead the team in scoring last season.

Ash Lynch: The junior star made huge improvements in her game over the course of last season. Lynch shoots the ball well and is a fantastic role player.

Laura Conway: A fearless player who is tenacious in defence. If Conway finds her rhythm she can pile on the points as well.

Laura Conway is a rising star.