State Basketball Leagues across Australia are frothing with talent, with many NBL players refining their skills during the NBL off-season. Hoops fans are able to see some of Australia’s best young talent every weekend at their local stadium.
The SEABL, Waratah, QABL and the SBL are all showcasing some of the NBL’s finest young talent. Fans that have caught onto the hidden secret are paying a measly $5 to get into a game that provides just as much excitement as the NBL.
Sometimes even more.
The Crazy Johns South East Australian Basketball League plays host to the likes of Nathan Herbert and Tom Garlepp of the Adelaide 36ers, Tommy Greer and Nathan Croswell from the Melbourne Tigers and Drew Williamson from the Perth Wildcats.
Herbert’s first game for the Geelong Supercats was nothing short of outstanding. His game high 28 points have started the Supercats faithful asking if this could be their year.
The Waratah Basketball League is based in NSW only and showcases former and aspiring NBL players.
The Parramatta Wildcats are loaded with talent which includes former Kings and Spirit players Graeme Dann and Clint Reed. BJ Carter, former Kings Cult hero, is strutting his stuff for the Sutherland Sharks while former Sydney King’s development player, Blake Borgia, has led the Comets to a 5-0 start to the season.
Graeme Dann is proving to be a handful for his rivals.
Dann is giving Sydney King’s selectors every reason for them to sign him up. I’m sure his monster triple-double over the weekend would have raised a few eyebrows. Dann finished with 25 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in just 30 minutes.
His partner in crime, Clint Reed, chipped in with a solid 20 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.
However, it’s the Sydney Comets who are leading the way in the Waratah. Under Coach Warren Rosen, the Comets are on fire. Michael Seckold has become virtually unstoppable at the point guard position, giving opponents nightmares on defence.
The acquisition of versatile big man, Blake Henricks, has helped the guards find their shots with ease.
Perth’s State Basketball League is fast becoming one of the toughest leagues in the country to play in.
The Willetton Tigers are looking the goods early with the likes of Cameron Tovey (former Townsville Crocodile) and Adelaide’s new star recruit Daniel Johnson suiting up. Johnson is making a mockery of the SBL early in the season, averaging 23 points and nine rebounds, in his six games.
The NBL Rookie of the Year, Jesse Wagstaff, suits up for the Perth Redbacks. Wagstaff has had some big games in the SBL. Over his three games, Jesse is averaging 25 points and 10 rebounds.
If you had a bit of a cry that Paul Rogers retired from the NBL last season, wipe those tears away.
Rogers is playing for the East Perth Eagles, along with 7 foot giant Sam Harris and former NBL shooter, Ben Thompson. Rogers is averaging eight points and seven rebounds in his first four games for the club.
Waggers
Guest
Thanks for the shout out Baukie.... There are definitely some good ABA competitions out there. As you mentioned the SBL has many current and former NBL players (Rogers, Thompson, Trahair, etc) that play. The games are very entertaining which I don't think people realise. Even without the NBL contingent there are many players out there that can PLAY just never really pursued basketball as a career path.... Keep up the writing
Angela
Guest
My interest has waned this year...I don't know why??? Hope to get back into it next year. I will be following the Comets via these feeds though so keep writing!
Beer?!?
Guest
footleg
Guest
i remember back in the days i used to turn up for these games and they were 100 times more entertaining than nbl games!!!! they were mostly close and fast paced!!! used to even get a cheer squad (the bottle bangers) hammering away tunes and cheering on those comets to a couple of titles :) ABA = better than the NBL :)
Beer?!?
Guest
That seckold kid should be the first one chosen to the kings...talk about local talent. He and Dann could put up a lot of points in the nbl and at least both being and playing in sydney, crowds should come out in droves to watch their local heroes rather than having a star import run the point that no one has a clue of who he is! Last season, watching the aba was better than watching the nbl as it seemed more exciting up tempo, and taking a few aba players and putting them into a kings uniform could continue this exciting brand of basketball which would make more people turn up to watch the kings. Its a shame stuff like the aba and seabl is not televised. It would be a great alternative to possibly have a 1 hr highlights pack a week on one hd. Come on they were able to to broadcast that high stakes hoops thing all week. Why not !