Tolo and Co. help drive the league

WITH international players like Marianna Tolo in this year’s QBL, the annual state series is getting better and better.

But for QBL coaching stalwarts like Ipswich Force mentor Brad George, that’s the appeal of lining up each week against the best teams from around the state.

“It’s definitely got tougher and tougher with more depth,’’ George said, preparing for his ninth state league season as a head coach.

The quality is bolstered by highly credentialed basketballers like Australian Opals, Canberra Capitals and Los Angeles Sparks centre Tolo (pictured).

Women’s NBA and NBL regular Tolo will line up for Mackay this weekend against an improved Ipswich combination who finished second in last year’s season.

“It’s always good to see a lot of them (Australian players) come in. It makes the competition good,’’ George said.

“We’re seeing more of the good Division 1 or the good College players coming in as well to join the imports so the teams have a lot more depth than previous years.’’