The Good, The Bad and The Scheibs... ep.11
Week eleven and I headed out to Hibiscus to see what I thought was the game of the round. SWM at home to the unbeaten Townsville Heat. Corona’s were cold and plenty of lime, so it was a good start! The game never reached any real heights, with Tville starting out the better in the first quarter and a half then a spirited run by the Pirates lead by legitimate MVP contender Tanner McGrew supported by the Bear and Teysie and suddenly it was a nine point lead to the Pirates at the long break. From then on SW controlled the game and Townsville tried to chip away but just couldn’t peg the lead back and the Pirates had put the Heats 10 game winning streak to the sword. I was pretty confident that SW would make amends for a bad road trip last weekend and they did, they are clearly the best team in the weak South pool. Townsville were missing one of their best in Mirko who was away trailing for a club team in Europe, despite this they just weren’t on
their game in this one and the Pirates took full advantage.
Logan made it real interesting the next day when they handed Townsville their 2nd loss in 18 hours. Sure it was a good win for Logan and shot them right back into the number one seed calculations. They have the split over Townsville now and if the Heat drop another one Logan control their own destiny and the PClips could be the major beneficiaries. The biggest losers would be the third best Northern team, which for the first time would have to watch while an inferior southern team takes its spot in the playoffs.
Thou I have to say WTF is BQ thinking? My total disdain for a 3 game roadie in 40 hours is well documented, its bush league and has no place in an elite competition. Not sure it would have made a lot of difference as Logan are legit and with wins over Tville, Rocky and Brisbane already in 2016 this group will be there when the whips are a cracking. Not only do BQ lumber Townsville with this killer road trip, but they make them back up on the Friday night with a trip to Gladstone and then the biggest game of the QBL thus far in Rocky playing the Rockets, yes folks that’s 5 ROAD games in 8 days. When are the clubs, supporters and sponsors going to say enough is enough! This thing should be decided by the players and the teams not some BQ administrator who has no clue about modern day sport. This will have a huge effect on the outcome of the QBL 2016 and it’s just not right.
While I am on a roll I might as well mention last week’s POW. James Legan had 48 points sinking 11 threes, and I am asking TBar Head coach Ant C HTF you let a shooter like him get 18 shots up? That aside those are outstanding numbers, no doubt. However I’ll put it in major league baseball terms, there is a reason a designated hitter has NEVER won the American League MVP! Make no mistake Legan is the QBL’s equivalent of a DH, the guy only plays on one side of the ball. Only shows up to work against teams with losing records and hasn’t led a team to a significant victory in his 6 seasons in this league. Plays for a
side that thinks the key to winning is to out-score your opponents, defence is a dirty word in Ipswich. They do beat the comps cellar dwellers, yet can’t come within cooee of a legitimate side.
On the flip side last week a Queensland junior, Mt Isa born, Townsville raised, NBL 400 plus gamer, Olympian and former Boomer, 37 year old Peter Crawford had a night out 41 points, 16 boards and 4 dimes to lead the Heat to their tenth straight victory. PC comes back to his original club and decides to give back, if that’s not the epitome of a Queensland player of the week I got no clue what is? Crawford also is a leader and plays both ends of the court and is a big part of the Heats 2016 success.
I got a special shout out to firstly my boy Michael Van Dongen whose Rip ladies team picked up their second victory for the season. I said if he could squeeze two wins out of this side he should win the women’s QBL COY award, despite not being from Ippy! A new club and at a club that clearly values their men’s program more than that of the women and the guy is making strides, well done mate, you’re a better man than I!
Finally how about three local Brissy lads making the 2016 Rio Olympic side! Chris “Bubbles” Goulding a SD-BBI junior, Brock Motum and Cam Bearstow both SWM-BBI junior’s and all three products of the local GPS school competition. This is a much bigger achievement than the re birth of the Brisbane Bullets. This shows that the grass roots of the sport is alive, thriving and producing. These three prove that with talent, perseverance and hard work dreams do come true! Way to go men and we’re all proud of
you!!
Disclaimer: This article was prepared or accomplished by Rob Scheibner in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the Basketball Expressions.
