The following is the 2017-2018 Basketball Year-in-Review Report by the Master-in-Charge, Julianne Stanton, presented to the AGM of The King’s School Basketball Club, 4 June 2018:
The 2017/18 saw an ever-increasing number of boys playing Basketball at King’s (486). The team selection process spanned the four weeks’ preseason at the end of Term 3, resulting in thirty-eight teams and three development squads moving into another GPS season.
To improve the skills base of our coaches and score bench officials, a successful Level 1 Coach course and a score bench course were run with 23 coaches gaining official Level 1 BNSW Coach accreditation. This is an important initiative that I hope to continue.
Several preseason games prepared the 1sts and 2nds for the GPS competition ahead. The 1sts finished runners-up to Newington at the annual Sydney Shootout tournament and we enjoyed a visit from our friends at Canberra Marist who not only played in a mini-tournament along with TKS and Knox Grammar but joined the King’s boys in attending a Sydney Kings game before going home.
The official Season Launch was an activity based afternoon engaging boys from all age groups. A three-point shootout and 3 on 3 competition was held as well as the much-anticipated Students Vs Coaches Challenge. In a hard fought and fun-filled contest, the coaches were victorious for the third consecutive year.
The Jersey Presentation to our 1sts and 2nds was a most enjoyable event with Sterling Mortlock addressing the boys with anecdotes about his own sporting career including his time playing in the 1sts Basketball team whilst a student at King’s. Jared Hart, the Captain of Basketball and Justin Jiang, his vice-captain were formally acknowledged and both have proved to be outstanding leaders and impressive role models for their teammates and younger players.
The program has been most fortunate to welcome Julian Khazzouh to the senior coaching staff this season. Julian is an international professional player who has most recently played with the Sydney Kings. We are privileged to have someone of Julian’s experience and character assisting our teams and the boys have gained enormously from his input.
The 1sts competed in the Australian Schools Championships, held in Melbourne in December. Nominating to play in the U/20 Division 1 category, they gained a creditable 5th place nationally against some of the strongest schools in the country.
The third annual King’s Cup tournament has attracted an increase in entries each year. This tournament is targeted at players in Years 8 or 9 and has proved to be a popular event with 19 teams competing in January. St Augustine’s were the winners of the Cup and Sydney Grammar the winners of the Shield division.
At the conclusion of the school season, results across all age groups were promising with the 16s and 14s teams having particularly successful seasons and the Year 7 (2018) group establishing a sound foundation to build on in future years. The 1sts finished in 4th position on the GPS ladder and our young 2nds team struggled to find a win but played with unwavering commitment and enthusiasm. With most of the group returning next year, the challenges and lessons learnt this season will make them better prepared for this level of competition. Congratulations to Ben White and Ben Moult who gained selection in the GPS 1sts and 2nds teams respectively and Ben White for also being selected in the CIS team. Congratulations also to Mr John Hennessy (Head Coach) who gained appointment to the GPS 1sts coach for 2018. In other player achievements, Jack McWilliams is part of the BNSW SPP program and has recently been selected in the BNSW U/16 Metro team.
The efforts of many of the players were acknowledged and celebrated at the End of Season event. Over 75 awards were presented to the 38 teams that competed this season and all recipients were applauded for their efforts. The Graham Kelly Memorial Award for his contribution to Basketball at King’s was presented to Will Johnston, Tutanekai Adams won the PJ Yeend trophy for the best Basketballer in the school and Jared Hart was the recipient of the Players’ Player Award. The large audience was enthralled by the guest speakers Malakai and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak who shared their personal journeys towards their professional careers in the NRL. They also shared valuable advice on developing a positive work ethic and overcoming adversity in sport.
Two new and exciting initiatives have been implemented this year. Firstly, a small squad of boys have been able to select Basketball as their winter sports choice for the first time and the inaugural Hoops Academy Holiday Camp will run in the July school holidays.
It would be remiss not to acknowledge the ongoing support given to Basketball by the Club committee. This energetic and hard-working group support all the Basketballers at King’s and this year they generously contributed three digital scoreboards to be used on the Harris courts. This gesture has been greatly appreciated by the coaches and teams whose games are played outside.
The guidance and care given by all the King’s and outside coaching staff have been second to none and the collaborative effort of managers, statisticians, referees, photographers, parents and many more have made for another enjoyable and productive season. The talent coming through in the younger age groups and the general popularity of Basketball at King’s augurs well for the future.
Julianne Stanton
Master in Charge