Young basketballers eye GPS title

Ipswich Grammar School basketball David Prior (attacking hoop) hopes to lead his team to their first premiership in 14 years.

David Nielsen

COULD this be a championship year for Ipswich Grammar's First V?

THE school's senior basketball team has waited 14 years for a chance at winning another GPS title and despite having three Year 10 students in their starting team, the school has upset Nudgee College and Brisbane Boys College (BBC) in the competition's first three rounds.

Their only loss was against Brisbane State High School, arguably the best basketball school in Queensland.

The team has three 15-year-olds in its starting team – Jason Ralph, Mitchell Roetteler and Tung Leahy, who has moved down from North Queensland – and have been outstanding to start the season. IGS basketball coach Michael Wellings took a risk on playing both Ralph and Roetteler in the First V last year when they were still in Year 9.

The team had a mediocre season but the experience the young boys gained has paid off handsomely this year.

“We didn't have a great year last year but the young guys obviously learned a lot which is now working in our favour,” Wellings said. “We have a good mix this year and everyone has improved from last year. I think we'll be in contention for the premiership if we keep improving through the season.

“This is the best chance we have had in several years to win the GPS competition, but it will be very difficult.”

There are no finals in the GPS season. Whoever finishes the year on the top of the table is the champion. “Brisbane State will be the favourites and they're a very good team, so we will need luck and some results to go out way,” Wellings said.

IGS captain and centre David Prior has been outstanding this year, hitting the game winner last week against BBC. Prior tipped in a missed shot as the buzzer sounded to secure a game that IGS only lead for the final 6.2 seconds.

Queensland under-17 squad member Ralph has also been on fire, scoring 30 points in the BBC victory. “It was a crazy game and we fought hard all game to win it,” Ralph said.

Ralph and young Roetteler share the guard duties for the team, the youngest back court duo in the competition. “They can both play the point and the off-guard position, so they switch it up a lot and that system has worked.”

The First V play Toowoomba Grammar today. “We are going up there to take care of business and if we do that, we should account for Toowoomba,” Wellings said.