Toowoomba Mountaineers stars determined to go all the way in 2024

The Toowoomba Mountaineers men’s stars have been in strong form this TBL season, but have their sights set much higher as they intend on sending a statement to the rest of the state.

Adam Gehrig for the Toowoomba Mountaineers. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The best basketballers in the Garden City have been plying their trade in the Toowoomba Basketball League with several Mountaineers using the competition as a pre-season for what is set to be a big 2024 QSL campaign.

Patrick Roche, Mitchell Davis and Adam Gehrig have taken on captaincy roles for their TBL teams this season and have lit up Clive Berghofer Arena in an entertaining month of basketball.

While the trio are eager to help their sides in the Toowoomba Basketball League, their main focus is on the Mountaineers season ahead.

After falling in back-to-back semi-finals in the last two years, the Mountaineers men are more determined than ever to get over that hump

“It hurts every time you think about it,” Gehrig said.

“It is just about reminding ourselves of the goal and that’s our hump we have to get over.

“We can get there every year but if we don’t get past it, we are never going to be more than we are just now.

“So it is definitely a motivation and reminder every week at training.”

Mitchell Davis for the Mountaineers. Picture: Nev Madsen.

With the Mountaineers still yet to take home a title since the glory days of the 1990s when Pop Dickerson, John Rillie, David Blades and Danny Morseu led Toowoomba to back-to-back state titles, Gehrig would love the chance to join that list of legends to have led the Mountaineers to a championship.

“Even just thinking about it, it gives you chills down your spine,” he said.

“It would be unreal to bring a championship back to the city and really put respect back on

Toowoomba Basketball’s name after a couple of rough years in QBL and being out of the NBL1 now.

“So if we can get a big statement win in the QSL and put ourselves back in the NBL1 that would be tremendous, it would be an absolutely great feeling.”

There has been a major focus on strength and conditioning in the Mountaineers camp and veteran big man Mitch Davis is reaping the rewards already.

“Sean (Connelly - men’s head coach) has turned around the program, we are doing a lot more conditioning than last year,” Davis said.

“There has been a focus on not just starting the season strong, but being in good shape and finishing this season strong because we have sort of hit a wall every year before this.

“I have never been in shape like this, it is not a lot of fun going to the gym all the time but it is going to pay off.

Toowoomba Mountaineers player Patrick Roche. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“It is a lot easier to hit shots when you are not dripping in sweat and when you can breathe and focus, it is a lot easier to make decisions and shots.”

Taken as one of the first picks in the 2024 TBL draft, Roche is enjoying the challenge of having a target on his back each week and is looking to translate his impressive form to the QSL season when it tips-off in April.

“There is definitely a pressure to perform each week, I have to make sure the standard is there and I’m consistently playing a good game,” he said.

“I’m using this as a pre-season to try and get into a good rhythm before we start to get into QSL.

“I would love to win that championship.

“We have been very close the past few years and I feel as though we have a really strong team this year and we have added a few new pieces.

“I am feeling really good.”

Gehrig was another player taken high in the draft and has relished the opportunity to lead his TBL side while having the expectations to perform each week.

“You got to embrace that, enjoy it and make the most of it,” he said.

“You have the best guys going at you every time so you got to show up every time.

“You have to lock in and it forces you to step up and be a leader and a role model for the rest of your team.”