Gladstone Port City Power

Gladstone Port City Power was a Queensland Basketball League (QBL) club based in Gladstone, Queensland. The club fielded a team in both the Men's QBL and Women's QBL. The club was a division of Gladstone Amateur Basketball Association (GABA), the major administrative basketball organisation in the region. The Power played their home games at Kev Broome Stadium. In the wake of the QBL's rebranding following the 2019, the Power did not enter the NBL1 North for the 2020 season.

Gladstone Port City Power
Founded2004
Dissolved2019
HistoryGladstone Port City Power
2004–2019
ArenaKev Broome Stadium
LocationGladstone, Queensland
Team colorsNavy blue, yellow & white
Main sponsorMcDonald's
PresidentAshley Wilmott
Head coachM: Brady Walmsley
W: Ray Cooper
Championships0 (M)
3 (2009, 2010, 2011) (W)
WebsitePortCityPower.com.au

Club history

The Power entered the Queensland Australian Basketball League (QABL) in 2004, fielding both a men's and women's team. They replaced the departing Tweed Coast Slammers in the Southern Cross Division.[1]

In 2009, the Power women had a massive year to become champions for the first time in club history. Some excellent recruiting and a lot of belief enabled the Power to defeat the South West Metro Pirates 102–98 in overtime in the grand final. It was a remarkable turnaround for the team, who won just a handful of matches in their two previous seasons. WNBL players Jessica Bibby, Natalie Hurst and Katie Rose and college player Diana Neves were the stars of the show.[2] The women went on to claim three QBL championships in a row with titles also coming in 2010[3] and 2011. Player/coach Jessica Bibby was instrumental over those years, as was Natalie Hurst.[4] They returned to the grand final once again in 2012, but their quest for a four-peat was denied by the Mackay Meteorettes, who defeated the Power 78–71.[5][6]

In 2015, the Power men qualified for the finals for the first time in club history thanks to the efforts of import duo Justin Baker and Ray Willis, captain Michael Cedar, and head coach Derek Rucker.[7] Their 12–5 record saw them finish the regular season in fourth place. In their quarter-final match-up, they faced the defending champion Rockhampton Rockets and beat them 94–86.[8] The win advanced them through to the semi-finals, where they faced the Brisbane Capitals. The Power pushed the Capitals into overtime but were defeated in the dying seconds of the extra period, losing 78–77.[9] The Power women, on the other hand, made their way back to the grand final for the first time since 2012.[10] However, they were defeated 2–0 in the best-of-three series by the Rockhampton Cyclones.[11]

Following the 2019 QBL season, the league was rebranded as NBL1 North. The Power subsequently did not enter the new competition for the 2020 season.[12]

References
  1. "QABL 2004 Draw Released". qabl.basketball.net.au. 22 January 2004. Archived from the original on 24 March 2004.
  2. Butterworth, Liam (31 December 2009). "The year that was". GladstoneObserver.com.au. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  3. Crase, Simon (12 May 2011). "Grand final flag raising an honour". GladstoneObserver.com.au. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  4. "Jess Bibby leads Gladstone Port City Power to QBL three-peat". FoxSportsPulse.com. 23 August 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  5. "Reigning champions defeated". GladstoneObserver.com.au. 1 September 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  6. "QBL Grand Final Wrap-Up". qabl.basketball.net.au. 3 September 2012. Archived from the original on 23 March 2015.
  7. Gellie, Campbell (3 August 2015). "Port City Power men qualify for finals for first time". GladstoneObserver.com.au. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  8. Brooks, Matti (17 August 2015). "Rockets to miss out on three consecutive championships". TheMorningBulletin.com.au. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  9. "Power into women's grand final, out of men's competition". GladstoneObserver.com.au. 22 August 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  10. Jones, Jake (24 August 2015). "Power women into basketball grand final series". GladstoneObserver.com.au. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  11. "Rockhampton Cyclones take out 2015 QBL Women's Championship". qabl.basketball.net.au. 30 August 2015. Archived from the original on 2 March 2016.
  12. "NBL1 Expands To North And South Conferences". NBL1.com.au. 15 January 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
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