Mountaineers now a force
IT’S amazing when you look back at just how far the Toowoomba Mountaineers have come.
When I first started at The Chronicle at the end of 2011, things were very tough for the QBL side.
The men had finally found some modest success that season but the women’s team was still struggling after a third-straight year without a victory.
The club still had a long way to go to return to its former glory but there was light at the end of the tunnel.
In my first season covering the QBL, I was lucky enough to be the first Chronicle sports journalist since 2008 to write a story about both the Mountaineers men and women celebrating a victory in the one weekend.
It was a massive achievement after so long without success but the Mountaineers weren’t satisfied with just winning a few games.
Making the play-offs was once just a distant dream but this year it was their main focus.
And that will finally become reality tonight when the Mountaineers make the trip to NAB Stadium in Auchenflower to face the Brisbane Capitals.
It’s a credit to all those involved with the club, both on and off the court, who were there even during the hard times and kept Toowoomba basketball going.
The influence of imports James Legan and Kisha Lee over the past few years has been undeniable.
But hometown talents like Stephen Kluck, Matt Ebneter and Krystal Watson have also stepped up to help the Mountaineers climb off the bottom of the ladder.
Their long-awaited play-offs appearance is something for everyone associated with the Mountaineers to celebrate.
But while it’s easy to get caught up in all the excitement, the Mountaineers can’t expect an easy passage through to the second week of the play-offs.
Both the men’s and women’s teams are 0-2 against the Capitals this season and Brisbane has the home court advantage tonight.
But much has changed for Toowoomba since it last faced Brisbane back in rounds one and three.
The Mountaineers men now have former NBL champion Willie Farley on deck and both teams are playing much better with more games under their belts.
There is a sense of belief within the club now and they won’t take this rare play-offs appearance lightly.
They have plenty to play for tonight, but win or lose, there’s definitely more good times ahead for the Mountaineers.