Lindon setting pace at Hawks
WHEN Robert Linton made the decision to move to the Gold Coast to continue his illustrious basketball career, the 28-year-old quickly ruled out one of the Coast’s two QBL sides.
“I didn’t consider the Rollers,” said the new North Gold Coast Seahawks captain.
“It wasn’t a dollars and cents equation for me.
“I began talks with the managers and staff at the Seahawks and quickly found that it’s a community club.”
After basketball stints in the SEABL and with the Adelaide 36ers, Linton decided it was time to move closer to home and the Seahawks had the perfect offer.
“I’m from Coffs Harbour so it made sense to me,” he said. “I really like the beach so I’ve loved being back on the Gold Coast and have gotten myself in a happier headspace.”
After finishing second last in the 2018 Queensland Basketball League, the Seahawks were crying out for talent and experience and they have found both in Linton.
“I’m hoping to bring a lot of on-court leadership,” he said.
Linton’s impact has been immediate, with the veteran leading the Seahawks to an 84-73 win over the Cairns Marlins on Friday night.
The sharpshooting guard made 13 points in his first game of the season, combining well with returning US import Quinton Campbell, who added 21 points and QBL MEN RD 1
Rockhampton SC Phoenix SWM Pirates Brisbane Seahawks Rollers Mackay Cairns Logan Spartans Toowoomba USC Rip City Gladstone Townsville Ipswich
P W 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 3 1 1 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
L D % Pts 0 0 118.48100 0 0 118.46 100 0 0 118.42 100 0 0 115.38100 0 0 115.07100 0 0 105.2 100 1 0 105.14 50 2 0 95.97 33.33 1 0 87.13 0 2 0 90.1 0 1 0 84.44 0 1 0 84.42 0 1 0 84.4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
hauled in 11 rebounds.
Inspired by a touching pre-game tribute to club stalwart Chris Dicker, who passed away recently, the Seahawks carved out a 12point lead at the break.
Cairns got within two points late in the piece but the Seahawks’ experience saw them pull away.
“I think we can achieve a lot this year,” Linton said.
“We’re all a pretty similar size so I think we can bring a bit of a different, faster style and surprise a few teams.”
The Seahawks women also kicked their season off with a win after taking down the Marlins 82-64.
American import Deja Middleton starred with 25 points and 23 rebounds.
The Gold Coast Rollers men backed up their 87-83 Friday win over Mackay by beating Southern District Spartans 95-90 yesterday.
The Rollers women lost both games however, 65-43 to Mackay and 69-61 to the Spartans.