Cockburn Cougars Basketball

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Was a great day to be a cougar!!!

LOOKING BACK – STORY ABOUT THE COUGARS WINNING THEIR SECOND SBL CHAMPIONSHIP 20 YEARS AFTER THEIR FIRST TRIUMPH
Cockburn Basketball Association
Twenty Years in the making - Cougars 2012
By Bryce McGlaughlin-Williams

As quoted from Cougars Coach Steve ‘Charlie’ Charlton, his Grand Final program write up read; “who’d have predicted a Cockburn Cougars and East Perth Eagles grand final?”
The realistic answer – Not many.
Which teams in the SBL could have beaten the Cougars on Saturday night with their all round team effort, the flawless stretches of ex*****on on offense and tough defense?
The realistic answer – Not many.
Traditional powerhouses Lakeside Lightning and the Wanneroo Wolves at full strength also may have struggled against the dominant Cougars on Saturday night. The culmination of a three-year guidance under the reign of Coach Charlton and the twenty year title drought for a proud club all came to fruition on completion of the 105 – 72 rout of the East Perth Eagles on Saturday night.
Every team, every premiership/championship carries many stories within it be it during the game or through the players that got there. The 1993 Wolves with the Craig Weston ‘show’ is one such example. ‘Westy’ went from unknown bench role player to hero with his late 3pt shooting onslaught vs. the favourite Cockburn Cougars in that final.
The dynasty’s of the 90’s Bunbury Slammers and the might of the Perry Lakes Hawks of the ‘noughties’ struck fear into opposition teams knowing that to get to the promised land, any title aspirations of other SBL teams had to pass through them to get there and most......failed.
The Geraldton Buccaneers of 2000 always had the depth to get to the grand final however it wasn’t until Big Al Erickson (ironically a favourite son of Cockburn) and a fiery redheaded Queenslander called DJ McGlynn arrived to mesh their talents with iconic SBL players such as Dan Hunt and Greg Brown that they got over the line. The Andy Stewart led Lakeside Lightning were powered by Andy Gilbert in 2005. Gilbert, a multitalented import who nobody wanted in college as a Division III product, came briefly to our league, and coupled with a young supporting cast (who are now solid veterans) and a couple of wily veterans they wrestled the trophy from the Perry Lakes Hawks who were on an unprecedented run to nab their fifth consecutive title.
The same could be said of the Giants premierships of 2007/2008. The arrival of Michael ‘The Beast” Haney and Darnell Dialls who joined city slickers Shamus Ballantyne and Mark Heron and a loyal local playing cast to create an unbeatable winning culture. Alex Prince’s shooting in the ‘clutch’ complemented NBL, Willetton Tiger talent Daniel Johnson and Cam Tovey on the way to the 2010 triumph.
Now the Cougars have many success stories from within. From the upcoming youth to the veterans of this proud team, the team can now boast 12 new premiership players.
I have vivid memories of a packed ‘Superdrome’ in 1992 when I went to the Cougars versus Slammers GF. The alleyoop dunks from Allen/Farrell/Clarke to Cattalini (the fist pump and blown up face of the ‘Cat’ holding the rim mid-dunk was the SBL guide pic the following year), the 'Warhorse' Kelly Houston greedily taking every rebound and tipping in ridiculous shots from all over the paint and hobbling back on defense, The ‘Glove’ Mike Forsyth wearing down anyone in a Slammers top, with his defensive prowess under coach Greg Gurr. Lining up to enter the game as a youngster (yes lining up to enter an SBL GF) and then being in awe of the James Fitch vs. Alan Erickson showdown was also a memorable sight. All of this was squashed into that one grand final with the Cougars emerging victors 107 – 91.
Fast Forward to 2012 and once again “it is a great day to be a Cougar!”
A symbolic picture hangs in the Cougar Den of the 1992 team. As mentioned previously the image of then Assistant Coach Garry Field with then little two year old son Gavin on his lap was repeated on Saturday night. With victory complete, the team recognised the sentiment and value of the occasion and got another team photo complete with father and son, front and centre of the treasured post-game celebrations. Unfortunately for Field Snr, said son is now 205cm!
Some things you may not have known from the grand final;
Congratulations to Joe-Alan Tupaea who took part in his eighth SBL grand final. Four titles with the powerhouse Hawks and contributing to the Eagles first trip to the SBL grand final highlights this hardened veterans value to any team.
Coach Adam Forde has brought success to both the Mens and Womens programs at the East Perth Eagles in a short time frame at the club. Not bad for a young coach who was controversially sacked prior to his involvement with the Eagles. Coach Forde might need to change his long term plan for the Eagles as he may have already fast tracked to a couple of his targets within this season alone! If the Eagles can maintain their core depth they will still continue to surprise and be amongst the teams to beat in 2013.
Coach Steve Charlton is the first Coach in SBL history to win a title as Head Coach of two different teams (The Goldfields Giants and the 2012 Cockburn Cougars).
After a lifetime involvement with the club Grant ‘Gary’ Davey earns his first SBL title. A true reward for perseverance, loyalty and providing leadership and guidance to a relatively young basketball team. He was the lone survivor from the 1998 loss to Bunbury and whilst others sought glory elsewhere and left the club, Davey stayed true to the Blue and Gold and deservedly received the second loudest cheer of the night.
Sheldon McIntyre set the tone early for the Cougars on Saturday night with critical clutch plays at both ends off the floor. In 2008, a promising career looked a possibility to end with some serious knee problems that also plagued his 2009 season. For those who witnessed his game on Saturday, this could not have been further from the truth.
Gavin ‘Bag of Bones’ Field, rids of his monstrous but hideous playoff beard and coupled with his stellar defense on former Wildcat Drew Williamson, contributed massively to the win on Saturday night. ‘BOB’ now has a photo of his own to brag about instead of being the “who’s that little kid at the front” every time someone looks at the 1992 Cougars title picture!
Basketball journeyman Luke ‘Maddawg’ Callier finally won the elusive championship that he could not get in an ABA/SBL career that has spanned 16 seasons and covered four states. Callier was also the only non-Cougar junior amongst the entire grand final roster which highlights the importance of home grown talent versus the quick and easy method of ‘buying a playoff roster’.
Steve Van Lit missed the grand final due to injury, however his contribution to aid in getting the Cougars there should not go unnoticed. If they return to the Grand Final in 2013 he will seek validation on the games biggest stage. If they get back there, will he deliver?
The play of Jeremiah Wilson! What an all-round, athletic basketball specimen with the complete skill set. Anybody complaining about the ticket price or the overinflated food costs would have been happy that they paid to see Wilson in full flight. I think the Cougars will prioritise his signing amongst others.
The flashy brilliance of Damien Scott. Scoring 21 points in the grand final, Scott was the perfect complement to the import tandem of Brian Carlwell and Wilson. Not only did he wow the crowd with his array of offensive moves, he also showed that his defense is improving. All of this was also done under the watchful scrutiny of Wildcats coach Rob Beveridge.
Brian Carlwell vs. Tom Jervis – These two behemoths fought hard for their respective teams with Carlwell getting the nod with a solid double-double. One of the highlights of the night was the ‘pain threshold’ of Carlwell when he experienced calf cramps. Whilst all were concerned for his well-being, the theatrics, the looks to the heavens, the hobbling and the animation made for a few light hearted moments in the second half. The ‘amazing’ comeback was complete when he hobbled out and still managed to score a few more buckets. An SBL title and the following celebrations may have resulted a swift recovery!
Finally I mentioned the second loudest cheer of the night went to Cougar stalwart Grant Davey. The loudest cheer was rightfully saved for the spiritual leader of the Cougar family – Team Manager Pete ‘Satay’ Stanley. On the announcement of his name, Stanley turned and gave the Cougar crowd a huge double pump and the faithful went crazy. All team managers in all sports take on a selfless role and often thankless task that players sometimes forget – players often screaming “pass me the water”, “where’s my towel”, “get me some tape!” and so on and so on. On this night all of the boys made sure that Big Pete was front and centre of any photo or celebration which is highlighted by the picture as well as the team song rendition post-game. The Team Manager was also proud father on the mid-range jump shot that was hit by his son and long-time Cougar Ben ‘Ziggy’ Stanley as the Cougars wound up their late game celebrations. Nobody epitomises this team more than the ‘Satay’. Congratulations to you Pete Stanley.
Congratulations to the Cockburn Cougars SBL Champions 2012.

Which Cougars were One Team Wonders?

ONE TEAM WONDERS
A lot of the State Basketball League players turned out for more than a decade – a few even managed two decades of competition.
Quite a few guys lined up for more than one team.
But a select number were one-team men – staying with the same club throughout their entire careers.
Below we honour those loyal warriors – who kept the same colours for a decade or more.

YEARS PLAYER (TEAM – DETAILS)
18 Damian Matacz (Wolves – 1999, 2001-09, 2001-13, 2015-19)
17 Matthew Earp (Redbacks – 1991-2007)
16 Jamie Baker (Redbacks – 1989-2004)
16 Jason Bunter (Buccaneers – 1994-2008, 2012)
16 Joel Wagner (Redbacks – 2004-2019)
16 Mathew Wundenberg (Buccaneers – 2004-2019)
16 Ray Evans (Buccaneers – 1991-2006)
15 Dan Hunt (Buccaneers – 1989-2003)
15 Doug Gates (Wolves – 2001-15)
15 Grant Davey (Cougars – 1996, 1998-2002, 2005, 2008-13, 2015-16)
14 Aaron Ralph (Buccaneers – 2006-2019)
14 Jarryd Griffin (Flames – 2005-12, 2014-19)
14 Lee Smith (Slammers – 1994-99, 2001-04, 2008, 2012-14)
14 Leon Williamson (Giants – 1993-2006)
14 Tony Pearman (Wolves – 1998-2011)
14 Wayne Creek (Giants – 1991-94, 1996-99, 2001-05, 2007)
13 Greg Regan (Tigers – 1994-99, 2002-08)
13 Matt Foster (Tigers – 1992-96, 1998-2005)
13 Todd Colton (Slammers – 1988-94, 1998-2004)
12 Ben Purser (Hawks – 2008-19)
12 Ben Stanley (Cougars – 2002, 2005-15)
12 Calvin Earl (Giants – 1990-92, 1994-97, 2000-04)
12 Gavin Field (Cougars – 2007-08, 2010-19)
12 Heath Gardiner (Hawks – 1989-2000)
12 James Fitch (Slammers – 1990-2001)
12 Peter Sinfield (Hawks – 1995-2006)
12 Ryan Godfrey (Flames – 2007-11, 2013-19)
12 Steven Van Lit (Cougars – 2008-19)
11 Adam Rowe (Buccaneers – 2000-05, 2007-11)
11 Adam Musulin (Cougars – 1999-2009)
11 Darren Russell (Flames – 1996-2002, 2004-07)
11 John Taylor (Eagles – 2004-14)
11 Reece Maxwell (Wolves – 2008-14, 2016-19)
11 Reece O'Sullivan (Wolves – 1995-2004, 2006)
11 Trent Worthington (Slammers – 2005-09, 2011-16)
11 Wade Bennett (Slammers – 1993-2004)
10 Brad Jackson (Lightning – 2006-15)
10 Joshua Weir (Slammers – 2005-14)
10 Leigh Malajczuk (Hawks – 1994-2003)
10 Peter Moore (Flames – 1994-99, 2001-04)
10 Phil Tomazin (Hawks – 1990-99)
10 Robert Plaucs (Cougars – 1998-2007)
10 Sam Keene (Hawks – 2001-11)

PICTURE - Damian Matacz - 18 seasons in green and white

KEEPING ON KEEPING ON
Five players have competed in the State Basketball League for 20 or more seasons.
All have suited up for 400+ games.
But the man who is the best of the best – the only player with more than 500 games alongside his name is – drum roll – Troy Clarke.
He started playing for the Cockburn Cougars in 1989 – the initial season of the SBL – as a 19-year old.
Next Clarke played two seasons with the W.A.I.S. Warriors – his 52 games produced 679 points and 260 assists – but sadly the team only had 2 wins.
With the Warriors leaving the competition Clarke returned to the Cougars where he was to become a household name over the next 17 years.
Troy Clarke’s career statistics are very impressive.
Along with his SBL record 512 games – 25 ahead of the second placed Ryan Neill – he sits in second place overall in assists (2773) – and is third best in steals (1074.
Clarke also finished with 4151 points, 1176 rebounds and 133 blocks.
The SBL court at the Wally Hagen Stadium has been named after him.

TOTAL GAMES
Troy Clarke 512
Ryan Neill 487
Joe-Alan Tupaea 479
Travis Moore 463
Greg Brown 450
*Seb Salinas 449
Aaron Edwards 448
*Mathew Wundenburg 438
Ray Evans 412
Jason Bunter 411
(*Still Active)

YEARS PLAYER DETAILS
21 Aaron Edwards (1994-2010, 2012-15 – 20 Slammers, 1 Senators)
21 Ryan Neill (1994-2014 – 13 Redbacks, 8 Cougars)
21 Travis Moore (1995-2015 – 19 Flames, 2 Tigers)
20 Troy Clarke (1989-2007, 2009 – 18 Cougars, 2 Warriors)
20 Joe-Alan Tupaea (1999-2018 – 12 Hawks, 7 Eagles, 1 Senators)

PICTURE - The 1997 SBL Yearbook had Troy Clarke on the cover

Early 1990’s and Kelly and Al’s Cougar Camps were the place to be on school holidays. Anyone you recognise?

The Man, The Legend

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=itIvUYr5UZI

Dear Basketball: The Legend of Kobe Bryant (Oscar Mix) Thank you, Kobe. For all those nights where I sat in front of a flickering television, finding excitement and wonder from the craft you dedicated your life t...

A terribly sad day for basketball, Rest In Peace, Kobe and Gianna 💔

David Reichel has organised a way to fundraise for the fires. Remarkably he lives in America, he spent 6 months here in 2013 playing for the Cougars and wants to give back. Support David’s page or any of the other fundraising pages who are supporting Australia through these devastating fires.

Bushfires Ravage Australia - Help Now! Record-breaking temperatures and months of severe drought have fueled a series of massive bushfires across Australia, putting people, pets, and millions of unique wildlife species in grave danger. Officials estimate that nearly half a billion animals have perished in the fires in New South Wales ...

Gavin Field Julian Pesava

Basketball WA is calling all past and present college basketball athletes to undertake a quick ⌛️ two minute survey.

No matter the level of basketball played over there, we are keen to hear about your experience!!

Associations/Coaches/Teammates/Friends
get tagging any athletes you know who have played college basketball.

👉To access the survey please click the link - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc35oap5u_zm5I-zR-z130RbrvhTYSaXU9nPZrFUgJA5N7lgw/viewform



Perth Redbacks Cockburn Cougars Basketball Cockburn Basketball Association Kalamunda & Districts Basketball Association Mandurah Basketball Association - Home of the Mandurah Magic Lakeside Basketball Stadium Rockingham Flames Warwick Senators Willetton Tigers Wanneroo Wolves Basketball Stadium Bunbury Basketball Association Kalgoorlie-Boulder Basketball Association Karratha Basketball Association

http://www.thestate.com/sports/high-school/article205316454.html

Frank Martin on parents’ behavior in youth sports: ‘Kids deserve better’ South Carolina basketball coach Frank Martin, known to be animated with his USC team, says parents’ behavior in youth sports is getting worse.

https://youtu.be/4SNvfAWTQds

1984 Championship - Cockburn Cougars V Perth Redbacks 1984 A-Grade District Basketball Championship Cockburn Cougars v Perth Redbacks

It’s important at every position to work on different finishes. 🏀

If you give a kid a basketball, they will want a hoop to go with it.

Then, they will probably spend hours begging you to go out in the yard to play with them, even though you may want to sit on the couch and watch tv. They will insist. And their insistence will win.

And when a kid gets a jersey, they will need shorts and socks and shoes to go with it. And a TEAM…..
And then life as you know it will end.

There will be no more lazy weekends watching tv. You will see more sunrises than you ever thought possible. Every spare minute of your time will be spent taking your child to practice for a game.
THE GAME.

And your house will be a mess. And your car will be dirty. All because you gave a kid a basketball.

Your weekends will be spent freezing or burning to death on a chair. And their weekends will be spent gaining confidence and friends, and learning new skills and having fun.

And you will be there the day they make their first goal, first foul, and their first 3 pointer . And they will make you SO proud. The other mums & dads will congratulate you. But you feel weird saying thank you because it's not you with the ball on the court. It's everything them. They did this.

And right before your eyes, your little child will be transformed from the baby who spun around with their hand on the ball making their first goal (because they love attention). Because they love attention still.

When you give a kid a basketball, you give them more than just a ball. You give them a sport, and talent, and hope, and dreams, and friends, a new family, a place to learn about the life, room to grow as a person where they can push their limits, and bravery, and courage and LIFE, and memories. And they will have ALL of these things, simply because you gave a kid a basketball.

Because you gave a kid a basketball, you too will develop new/lifelong friendships, developed solely from the same passion for the game and love of your team. You will cheer together. Because you gave a kid a basketball.

Then one day, many years from today….they will be in their room and a basketball will roll out from an old dusty bag underneath their bed. And they will pick it up and realize instantly that when you gave that kid a basketball, you also gave them a childhood that they would never forget. And then they will hug you, and your eyes may leak – because you realize that everything YOU gave up along the way…..was worth it!

All because you gave a kid a basketball 🏀️ …….

Let’s get down to the Cougar Den tonight and congratulate Gavin aka Bob and support the boys. Let’s Go Cougars!!!!

MILESTONE | GAVIN FIELD 2⃣5⃣0⃣⛹️‍♂️

Inspirational Cockburn Basketball Association captain Gavin Field reaches 250 SBL games tonight in the last game of the season at Wally Hagan Basketball Stadium. It's something that means a lot to him.

Read more here: bit.ly/GavinField250

7 Basketball Training Drills to Help Your Team Develop Athletic Skills With these basketball training drills, your players can develop the skills they need to succeed: explosion, vertical jump, acceleration, etc.

Tonight Darlene Field and Mike Forsyth will be presented with Life Membership of the Cockburn Basketball Association in front of their friends and family between the women’s and men’s SBL game. Life Members are an extremely important part of the clubs history. If you can make it down it would be fantastic to see you there. Presentation is after the Women’s game around 6.30pm

50 Basketball Dribbling Drills (Develop an Amazing Handle) In this article are 50 basketball dribbling drills that your players can use anywhere. They're all great for developing dribbling and ball-handling skills.

Saddest news tonight for the basketball community. Thoughts and prayers are with all his loved ones.

Anthony Exeter ❤️

It is with immense sadness that the Rockingham Flames have become aware of the passing of Anthony Exeter this evening, as a result of a tragic accident.

The Rockingham Flames Family join with the entire basketball community in sending their heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Anthony and his family and friends. Fight hard Anthony we are all behind you.