Announcement of fresh start helps struggling Mountaineers
BASKETBALL:
It was a challenging year for basketball in Toowoomba throughout 2019, with the Mountaineers men and women combining for just two wins in the QBL.
Despite the tough times, there were some standout moments during the year, with individual brilliance shining through at all levels.
10. SBL talent steps up
They may have had just the one win for 2019, but the Mountaineers men will be impressed with the likes of Jordan Biggar, Jacob Pomfrett, Josh Ozegovic and Josh Allen all getting minutes in the top flight. The SBL team was rewarded for its efforts with a spot in the playoffs.
9. Skinner makes the WNBL leap
Demi Skinner made an impression in her debut season with the Mountaineers, particularly with how she was able to round out the year. She has since been picked up by the Bendigo Spirit, and has found her best form of late, with a number of impressive outings, and a breakout 26-point game in Townsville.
8. Polar Bears complete three-peat
After winning the first two editions of the Big Q as USQ, Jack Gallagher and his squad came back to complete the three-peat as the Polar Bears. A new format saw more carnival play across the competition, which culminated in a thrilling final between them and the Toowoomba Saints, with the former prevailing in overtime.
7. Spurgin signs D1 contract
Young gun Jason Spurgin’s bright future was put on display with an impressive rookie campaign as a 17-year-old big in the QBL. Coming up against seasoned NBL veterans, the Grammar First V captain held his own, and was rewarded with a contract to play college basketball with NCAA division one school Southern Utah.
6. Anita’s hot form
Despite being a relatively undersized point guard, Brown was constantly putting NBLquality opposition on notice throughout the season. She finished the year as the scoring champion with 26.1 points per game, more than three points ahead of Leah Scott of the Spartans. She was a bright light in a challenging season.
5. QBL set for name change
A new dawn is upon statewide basketball in Queensland with the QBL to be known as the NBL1 North from 2020 onwards. It’s the fresh start the competition needed, and carries on from the success of the NBL1 in replacing the SEABL in the southern states. It will be interesting to see what opportunities this presents for the Mountaineers.
4. Women give champions fright
QBL minor premiers and eventual champions Southern Districts were expected to roll into the Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre and coast to victory in the final round of the season. Little did they know they would face one of their toughest tests of the season, as the Mountaineers held a late lead, before falling by just two points.
3. U18s girls win gold
This crop of girls was no stranger to success with previous medals in statewide competitions, and they were able to put it together again to claim gold in the Southern Cup in May. It continued on from their silver medal in the state championships at the start of the year, a promising sign for the future.
2. Men hammer Logan
It was a tough start to the year for the men, but it finally came together for them in round six when they hammed the Logan Thunder. In what would prove their solitary win of the season, the Mountaineers blitzed their more fancied rivals, with import Ricardo Martin and rookie Malat Makuach balling out with 20+ point hauls.
1. Mountaineers women end losing streak
It was a long 730 days between drinks for the Mountaineers women, as they started the season in the best possible way, ending a losing run that dated back to the final round of 2017. The newly formed big three of Anita Brown, Demi Skinner and Kristina King immediately made their impact felt, as they overturned a fourth-quarter deficit to down the Pirates and give hope for the upcoming year.