TIP OFF: How the Mountaineers sealed massive 21-point victory
REVEALED: The Toowoomba Mountaineers secured an easy 21 point win at home on the weekend. We reveal the five factors that contributed to their massive win over the Wizards.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Reigning QSL 1 MVP Adam Gehrig was the star in an emphatic Toowoomba Mountaineers’ men’s team win at the weekend.
The Mountaineers captain led all scorers in match as the home side trounced Northside Wizards 95-74.
Check out our five talking points from the match here.
Gehrig stars again
It was a scrappy affair early as both teams traded early blows before Gehrig helped the Mountaineers wrestle control of the match in the first quarter.
After opening his account with a three point play after he was fouled making a lay-up Gehrig went on a stunning four minute run.
Gerhrig scored 12 points in the opening a quarter, included two baskets from beyond the arc, and finished as the game’s leading scorer.
Shooting at nearly 65 per cent (11 from 17), Gehrig finished with 28 pointers.
The talented guard also recorded four rebounds, three assists and five blocks in a mesmerising performance.
It’s early days but the guard is already proving just how vital he is to the Mountaineers cause.
Hustle rewarded
Last week James Nugent was the ‘game breaker’.
Coming off the bench he sparked the Mountaineers comeback with his energy at both ends of the court, some big defensive plays and some bigger buckets.
The young star’s efforts were rewarded with a starting spot this week – proving coach Sean Connelly’s willingness to reward players with the ‘hot hand’.
Nugent wasn’t as effective offensively on Sunday but he certainly did not look at out of place among the starters.
Beyond the arc brilliance
Shaking off a few early misses, Benjamin Toohey lit up the scoreboard from beyond the arc.
Toohey hit four of his nine shots (44.44 per cent) from the three point line to finish with 14 points.
He proved he can shoot the ball from deep and no doubt the Mountaineers will draw up a few plays for him now in the future.
Defensive switch
The Mountaineers hustled the Wizards out of the game in the second quarter with a tactical switch from coach Sean Connelly proving to be the catalyst in their big win.
Switching to a full-court press the Mountaineers never allowed the Wizards to settle into an offensive rhythm and the home side scored plenty of easy fast break points.
The change was the right call to make and it ultimately secured a win for the Mountaineers.
Rotation and bench points
The Mountaineers went to their bench early and often in the game and it worked for them.
Nearly half the team’s points – 42 – came from their bench.
It was smart move because it allowed the Mountaineers to have fresh legs on the court and play up-tempo basketball.
Groundbreaking new cricket competition set for Garden City
A new era in Toowoomba Cricket is here, with a groundbreaking announcement set to change the landscape of women’s cricket in the Darling Downs for years to come. Check out the details of the brand new competition set to start this season here.
Junior Mountaineers ready to take on Queensland’s best young guns
The Garden City’s basketball stars of tomorrow will be in action over the weekend with the under-12 state titles taking place. Check out our preview of the three teams and the players to watch.
Named: Players to watch revealed on eve of Premier Invitational
Australia’s largest football tournament is just two sleeps away, with 500 teams and over 7500 players and coaches gearing up for the nine-day-long Premier Invitational. Meet the players you must see in action, the X-factors and born leaders:
NAMED: The 40+ Darling Downs senior Aussie rules stars of 2024
With the 2024 winter sporting season now in the rearview mirror, we take a look back to reveal the best male and female senior Aussie rules players in the Darling Downs this year. See which players starred for every club here.
FLASHBACK: A decade of grand final action, big hits and brawls
GALLERY: From the grandstand to the field – we look back at the scintillating tries, heated moments and the passionate fans from the last decade of Toowoomba Rugby League grand finals.
FLASHBACK: We look back at Gatton’s last premiership win
With the Gatton Hawks A-grade men’s side taking home their first premiership since 2013, take a look back at the last time they claimed the premiership in our TRL gallery here.