Kluck enjoys QBL finals tilt after lean run
I’ve been trying to concentrate more on games than burning myself out at training and it’s paid off.
— Toowoomba Mountaineers centre Stephen Kluck
TOOWOOMBA Mountaineers centre Stephen Kluck planned to give the game away at the start of the QBL season.
But it’s a good thing he didn’t as the Mountaineers prepare for a rare play-off appearance against the Brisbane Capitals tomorrow.
Kluck has been in career-best form this season, with the 211cm defensive powerhouse leading the QBL for block shots (2.7 per game).
He’s had no trouble finding the basket either, averaging 12.2 points per game behind only imports James Legan (24.6) and Willie Farley (21.6).
Kluck played down his contribution to the team’s success but admitted this was the best he’d felt since joining the team in 2010.
“I’ve been trying to concentrate more on games than burning myself out at training and it’s paid off,” he said.
“The body is coping better and I’ve also got another year of experience under my belt.”
Kluck and injured captain Charles Dickerson are the only two current Mountaineers players to experience the dark days of the club’s two-season losing streak.
It was a torrid couple of years for Toowoomba basketball with both the men’s and women’s teams rooted at the bottom of the ladder.
Things started to turn around in 2011, largely thanks to the arrival of star shooting guard Legan and coach Pop Dickerson.
Kluck said the addition of former NBL champion Farley this year had been the final piece of the puzzle to help the Mountaineers charge towards the play-offs.
“A big part of (the success) goes to Willie. He’s a very good basketballer. He’s got a cool head and he takes control,” Kluck said.
“Just having him there helps, for me as well. He makes it happen and all we’ve got to do is finish it.”
The Mountaineers’ finals quest hit a stumbling block last weekend, with a disappointing 96-70 loss to Gold Coast in the final round.
But Kluck said there was a good feeling within the team and they weren’t about to waste their long awaited shot at the play-offs.
“We’re getting there. There’s a lot of good things happening,” he said.
“We’ve still got a few things to work on but if everyone does their individual jobs, we’ll be all right.”