QBL PREVIEW

BASKETBALL STATE LEAGUE GUIDE

BRISBANE CAPITALS

LAST SEASON: 4th (11-7), lost semi-final to Townsville.

COACH: Sam Mackinnon

CAPTAIN: Zac Carter

INS: Jason Cadee (Brisbane Bullets),

Will Magnay (Brisbane Spartans/

Bullets), Ben Volkman (Southern

Districts Spartans), Jacob Wilson (US

College), Nick Soddart (SWM Pirates),

Lachlan Venus (SWM Pirates)

OUTS: Tim Coenraad (NBL), Nelson Kahler (Rockhampton), Ben Wilson, Seb Windsor, Christian Lam, Brandon Davis

MAIN MEN: Aaron Anderson has been one of the standout imports and guards in the QBL for several years and pair him in the backcourt with Australian Boomer star Jason Cadee (pictured) and they are already the best guard combination in the league. Pair that with the size of young gun Will Magnay and the Capitals have a star-studded roster.

LAST WORD: Brisbane have fallen short in recent seasons but with a new coach in Sam Mackinnon and several new additions, this outfit should challenge deep in the postseason.

IPSWICH FORCE

LAST SEASON: 9th (8-10)

COACH: Chris Riches

CAPTAIN: Jason Ralph

INS: Jayden Ferguson (US college),

Marty Leahy (ex-Ipswich, returning),

Joel Rees (Brisbane comp), Joshua

Lincoln ( junior development player)

OUTS: Joseph Owens, Garett Hall

MAIN MEN: Import Jayden Ferguson joins the Force after playing with

Ipswich captain Jason Ralph at Valley City State University. Ferguson’s scoring consistency and character were important considerations in building a unified Force team. American import Kyle Harvey (pictured) returns after a powerhouse 2018 season where he almost steered Ipswich into the finals.

LAST WORD: Ipswich were one game short of qualifying for last year’s finals. Coach Riches has changed his pre-season approach to prepare his side earlier, with more trials and individual sessions. With a similar team to last year, Riches is looking at established players and his two American imports to step up a level this year.

SOUTH WEST METRO PIRATES

LAST SEASON: 10th (8-10) COACH: Wayne Larkins CAPTAIN: TBA INS: Nelson Larkins (Mackay), Jarett Croff (US import), Henry Pwono (US import) OUTS: Verle Williams Jnr (Mackay), Tendekai Machando (Logan), Princeton Onwas, Tyrell Harrison (NZNBL)

MAIN MEN: Their three new additions in

Nelson Larkins, Jarett Croff and Henry Pwono will be the engine room for the Pirates as well as stalwarts Jarred Bairstow (pictured) and Ryan Vines. That starting five will be as gritty as any in the QBL this season.

LAST WORD: As mentioned, South West’s starting five will be tough and should be able to carry their club to some wins this season but there is a question over whether they have the depth to contend for a playoff spot. But look for the team to play a more up-tempo style this season under coach Wayne Larkins.

BRISBANE SPARTANS

LAST SEASON: 15th (3-15)

COACH: Rob Scheibner

CAPTAIN: Jake Allen

INS: Scott Kenny, Chris Whitehead

(US import), Callum Dalton (Brisbane

Bullets), Jake Allen (SWM Pirates),

Josh Derksen (Toowoomba), Darryl McDowell-White (US College)

OUTS: Will Magnay (Capitals), Ben

Volkman (Capitals), DeShaun King,

Mitch Philp, Jarryd Eustace (GC Rollers),

Daniel Quigley

MAIN MEN: Chris Whitehead (pictured) was an elite scorer in his previous stint in the QBL with Toowoomba and will look to lead this Spartans group young big man Callum Dalton will be looking to establish himself in his first season in the QBL. If Scott Kenny can rediscover the form that saw him signed in the NBL in 2014, he will be one to watch.

LAST WORD: There’s no doubt this Spartans outfit is better than last year’s wooden spooners and their starting five definitely boasts the talent to compete for a playoffs spot.

LOGAN THUNDER

LAST SEASON: 5th (14-4), lost quarter-final to Cairns.

COACH: Luke Cann

CAPTAINS: Michael Cedar and Mitch Young

INS: Bryan Coleman (US import),

Tendekai Machando (SWM Pirates),

Ryan Jeffries (Spartans 2017), Zac

Young (US College)

OUTS: Obi Kyei (Spain), Luke Shelley

MAIN MEN: As usual, the Logan Thunder have one of the best senior cores in the QBL with stars such as Mitch Young (pictured) and Mick Cedar with import guard Rayshawn Simmons also returning to Cornubia. But also watch out for Ryan Jeffries and Tendekai Machando to improve Logan’s depth.

LAST WORD: One of the favourites for the title, finished third last season and have only gotten stronger with new import Bryan Coleman and adding several solid role players to their bench, will definitely be a top-four regular-season team once again.

SUNSHINE COAST PHOENIX

LAST SEASON: 12th (6-12) COACH: Vern Robateau CAPTAIN: Not announced yet INS: Eric McAlister (Rip City), Zane Meehl (Rip City), Zach Price (Texas), Sam Webster (SBL), Tyler Allen (Grafton), John Fitzgerald (Sweden), Dekeba Battee (US) OUTS: Roy Booker (US), Delvon Johnson (US), Matthew Donaldson (Rip City), Jamaal Robateau (Rockhampton Cyclones)

MAIN MEN: John Fitzgerald, Eric McAlister and Zach Price have plenty of experience and will be vital in leading the Phoenix across the court. While he had a relatively quiet season last year, Zane Meehl (pictured) is also expected to step up, especially from the three-point range.

LAST WORD: Phoenix endured a lacklustre season last year but plenty of talent has been injected into the squad for the 2019 campaign. Playoffs are the aim, and coach Robateau expects his charges to be super competitive.

CAIRNS MARLINS

LAST SEASON: 2nd (10-8), lost grand final to Townsville COACH: Jamie O’Loughlin CAPTAIN: Anthony Fisher INS: Alex Loughton (Cairns Taipans), Tommy Hamilton IV (Texas Tech), Aaron Bin Tahal (returning from injury) OUTS: Michael Nwelue (Spain), Matt Smith (retired), Kuany Kuany (NBL1 – Ballarat)

MAIN MEN: The Marlins are pretty much unchanged from 2018, having offloaded one import for another, and a Taipan for another. Plenty will depend on Hamilton’s (pictured) influence. He shapes as a skilled big man who can step out and shoot the three. How he adapts to playing in Australia and the rough and tumble of the QBL will be a factor.

LAST WORD: The Marlins surprised many as they made their way to the grand final last year after a lacklustre regular season. The loss of Kuany is huge. He is not a star, but he does offer a lot of intangibles that will be hard to replace.

MACKAY METEORS

LAST SEASON: 3rd (15-3),

Minor premier, lost semi to Cairns.

COACH: Jason Borg

CAPTAIN: Chris Cedar

INS: Verle Williams (South West

Metro), Bryce Washington (Canada

NBL), Derick Newton (NBA G League)

OUTS: Todd Blanchfield (NZ NBL),

Nelson Larkins (South West Metro),

Brendan Shephard, Mitchell Gamblin,

Titus Robinson (Japan), Cameron Tragardh (Rockhampton GM)

MAIN MEN: Mobile big man Bryce Washington is second on the all-time list of leading rebounders at University of Louisiana team Ragin’ Cajuns. Derick Newton (pictured) brings NBA G League experience and is a ball-winner. Chris Cedar is moving to the point-guard role and will be pivotal in leading the group.

LAST WORD: Mackay are looking forward to another competitive season. It will be a different style of play and a different team with new arrivals Newton, Washington and the lightning quick Verle Williams all looking to make their mark.

TOOWOOMBA MOUNTAINEERS

LAST SEASON: 11th (7-11)

COACH: Danny Breen

CAPTAIN: Cameron Weber

INS: Demetrius Perkins (US), Ricardo

Martin (US), Daniel Sims (Ipswich),

Jason Spurgin (TBA Jnr), Ranko

Puseljic (Brisbane/NCAA DII), Malat

Makauch (Ipswich)

OUTS: Damon Bozeman (Melbourne), Harold Ridgeway (Gladstone), Josh Derksen (Southern Districts), Tito Kwajakwan (Darwin), Mayo Manylok (WA)

MAIN MAN: On their radar for close to a year the Mountaineers have officially welcomed import Demetrius Perkins (pictured) who was due to play for the ’Neers in 2018 until injury ruled him out. Perkins adds depth to a strong guard rotation. South Australia State League import Ricardo Martin brings poise and experience.

LAST WORD: The loss of star guard Damon Bozeman is a big blow but they have recruited well in the backcourt. The young ’Neers shape as be a surprise packet this season.