The USC Spartans will carry state pride into the finals of the inaugural University Basketball League.
The competition’s only team from Queensland is primed for the playoffs, to be held at Sydney on July 13-15.
The Vern Robateau-coached side finished the regular season in the top four, largely due to wins against highly-touted teams from La Trobe University and University of Sydney.
The team is bolstered by the likes of captain Francis Donders, who was recently named their Most Valuable Player, after leading the way with season averages of 21 points, six rebounds and six assists.
USC Sport spokesman Jay McCracken said the team had already proved a point.
“They were the only Queensland team, the only regional university team and the newest and youngest university competing in the league,” he said.
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“But they really created some noise in the first rounds, progressively improving week after week, and also growing together as a team off the court.”
The USC men’s UBL team, coached by Nathan Arousi, failed to reach the finals but showed tenacity.
“The men’s team gained one win but never gave up and showed true Spartan spirit,” McCracken said.
“They’re eager to bounce back and get to work for next season.”
Most of USC’s games were played at USC Stadium, also the home venue for USC Rip City’s men’s and women’s teams in Queensland’d premier competition, the NBL1 North league.
