FINAL BUZZER
TRAGIC LOSS BONDS TOWNSVILLE YOUNG GUNS
RODNEY Anderson knew that when he embarked for the national championships he may never see his father again.
However, with his Queensland North side fuelled by emotion, determined to honour his legacy, they paid tribute to the Townsville Basketball legend in the most fitting way they could.
Percy Anderson lost his battle with illness just 90 minutes before the under-18 outfit took to the court for their quarter-final clash against South Australia Metro.
While Anderson did not want his young team to play on his behalf, they instinctively did so — winning on the buzzer in a moment the coach said would bond them for life.
“I couldn’t address the team myself, I left that to Luca Yates — we have a really good relationship and he was feeling the same pain I had been feeling,” Anderson said.
“The guys really bonded around that and they really dug in for me.
“I really didn’t want them to be doing that for me, but they bonded in that moment to do it for my dad and myself.
“It brought us even closer and to do that after finding out 90 minutes before the game, and to get it on the buzzer, is something that will bond us together forever.
“I knew when I left there would be a chance I wouldn’t see him again. I was doing what he wanted me to do, he taught me everything I knew about basketball, and I think he’d be proud of what we did.
“He was there with us that’s for sure.”
Anderson Snr has left a lasting imprint on Townsville’s basketball scene, having been a life member since 1995. As a player, coach, referee and bench official there were few people involved with the sport he did not have an impact on — none more so than his son.
Even when Anderson took the coaching reins of the Townsville Heat, his father was constantly giving him advice that had him hooked with every word.
“He coached me as a junior. I remember my first rep
team was coached by Paul Goriss and dad was my assistant coach back then,” Anderson said.
“He definitely coached me harder than anyone else … he always expected more out of me, he wanted the best for me.
“I remember when we won
the 2017 grand final with the QBL that was the first time I saw my dad cry because he was so proud.
“He was still giving me tips coaching the QBL, he never stopped and I always listened to him; if anyone was going to give me advice I was going to listen to dad.”
Ultimately Anderson’s Queensland North side fell just short of becoming the second outfit from the region to claim the Under-18 National Championship, going down to Western Australia Metro 76-62 in the grand final. However spearheaded by local products Luca Yates and Rory Hawke, Anderson could not have been prouder of the silver medal around their necks.
Hawke, who has linked up with the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence, averaged the most points per game in the tournament with 22.11, while Yates sat top for average rebounds with 13.11.
Yates, who Anderson has coached since under-12s, will take his first steps in senior basketball for the Heat under Anderson in 2021, and the veteran mentor has marvelled at how the rising talent has evolved his game.
“I think he’s probably the best big man in the country at the moment of his age group. He should be getting some Australia team call ups — I’ve been getting calls from colleges in the US already about him,” Anderson said.