RIVALS ON NOTICE

FORGET their fifth-place finish last year – The Southport School’s first five are ready to take this GPS basketball season by storm.

After finishing third in 2017, TSS faltered in 2018 but now have the roster to match it with anyone ... and a coach who has done it all.

Former Boomer and NBL star Anthony Petrie has come on board as the school’s first five coach and has already had a huge impact, according to TSS director of basketball Brendan LeGassick.

“His input has been amazing,” he said.

“He’s a great communicator because a lot of the boys are very talented but he understands what it takes to be a modern-day athlete and how to relate with the boys.”

The experienced mentor will have no shortage of talent, with TSS’s squad boasting the brother of current Aussie representative Jack McVeigh.

“We’ve got Lloyd McVeigh who’s come to the school this year and is currently in the Australian under-17 squad so he’ll be one of our key players,” LeGassick said.

“We’re led this year by our captain Jack Brinsmead who has been at the school since day dot.”

Joining them is NSW Country representative Connor Watt, LeGassick’s son Preston – who has been on the cusp of Queensland state selection – and Harry Blair, who is currently on a basketball tour in the United States.

With the stars aligning to deliver TSS both player talent and a renowned mentor, LeGassick said expectations were high.

“We’re aiming for a topthree finish,” he said.

“We have a really talented squad but it’s a tough competition that some of the best players in the state are part of.”

The squad has already been training for weeks on a refreshed program which LeGassick hopes will bring out the best the team.

“Under Petrie, we’ve mixed it up a bit and started our training a bit later at the start of term two,” he said.

“Every week we run two team trainings, two individual sessions and two gym sessions as well so they’re doing six sessions a week.”

The Southport School’s GPS basketball season tips off today with the open first five match starting at 12.20pm at TSS.

Picture: GLENN HAMPSON The TSS basketball team (from left) Kohl Van Bennekom, Max Levis, Maika Shortland, Connor Watt, Jack Brinsmead, Preston Le Gassick, Nick Cross and Lloyd McVeigh.