Challenge accepted as sides embrace new basketball battle

THE absence of competitive basketball was never going to sit pretty with North Queensland’s top talent, and it has inspired the creation of the Top of the North Challenge, set to begin next weekend.

The Townsville Heat and Flames sides will face off in a home and away competition with their Cairns counterparts, following the cancellation of the NBL1 North season. Despite being just 22, rising point guard Ethan Betts will lead the men’s team — a contingent that will feature a host of young guns, some who are still in high school. They include year 11 students Luca Yates and Rory Hawke, and grade 12 star Richard Peachey.

Despite there not being a statewide championship on the line, Betts said the northern challenge was a blessing for the region’s basketballers, who otherwise would have gone more than year without a high level outlet. He said he expected Cairns to field some of their NBL Taipans members, presenting an enticing challenge for himself as a leader and his young group.

“We built a really good roster and thought we had a good championship contending team, so it would have been really disappointing if we didn’t get to play anything,” Betts said.

“Especially with the south teams getting to play QSL, it’s good for us to get on the court and show them we’re still here to play and looking to make a noise in the NBL1 when it comes around again.

“I’m sure there will be a few Taipans players playing, I’m sure (Taipans coach) Mike Kelly will be watching so these young kids get the opportunity to play in front of an NBL coach and against NBL players.

“They can see where they’re at, try and get better and get up to their standards so it should be great.”

While the Heat will be missing some established players, coach Rodney Anderson said it would present an ideal chance for the youthful group to make an impact on a bigger stage.

“To be able to get some of these kids into our squad and train and get used to some of our systems will be a big learning curve,” he said.