ELIZA REILLY LOOKS AT FIVE NORTH GOLD COAST SEAHAWKS PLAYERS TO WATCH IN THIS SEASON’S QUEENSLAND BASKETBALL LEAGUE

BRENT WALLACE

After spending the majority of his 2018 QBL season warming the bench at the Gold Coast Rollers, Wallace made the move to their cross-town rivals and is already making an impact. The 213cm giant added strength in defence and provided a towering option in attack as the Seahawks’ men downed Cairns 84-73 in Round 1 at the weekend. He finished the game with 17 points (second highest) and 10 rebounds.

QUINTON CAMPBELL

Returning for his second QBL season with the Seahawks, the American quickly showed why he is such a soughtafter signature against Cairns.

He landed four of the eight threepointers he attempted in a masterful display of range shooting and finished with 21 points to couple 12 rebounds.

TOM HOWARD

After two years playing Aussie rules for the Southport Sharks (NEAFL) and Surfers Paradise (QAFL), Howard has returned to the game he grew up playing.

The 200cm giant got the crowd going early on Friday night and was taking shots from everywhere.

He finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.

DEJA MIDDLETON

One game into the season and Middleton has already put her hand up as a recruit of the year contender. The 28-year-old comes to the Seahawks after professional playing stints in Turkey, Poland, Czech Republic, Lebanon and most recently in Lithuania for Kibirkstis-VKM.

Her experience showed as she tore the Cairns defence to shreds in Friday’s 82-46 win. She finished with an ominous 25 points as well as an incredible 23 rebounds, 14 of which came in offence.

KATIE DEEBLE

Deeble’s QBL debut was highly anticipated and she did not disappoint. The sharp shooter claimed a 30-point haul in last year’s under-16 premier league grand final but could only manage two points on Friday night. Still, given time to develop and settle into the QBL tempo, the 15-year-old (pictured) could become one of the best talents the Seahawks have seen.