Basketball

Well-coached Ipswich Force juniors build on NBL1 focus

AS two Ipswich Force under-14 teams prepare for national basketball tournaments, the future of the association’s two senior coaches is being reviewed. Ipswich Basketball Association (IBA) president Toni Caldwell said the performance of Force...

David Lems

06 Aug 2025

Sport

Ipswich’s last-gasp exit from NBL1 North finals

IN such a cut-throat NBL1 North competition, it all came down to the final minutes in the last round of the regular season. Unfortunately for the Ipswich Force men, other results didn’t go their way after losing 92-85 to the Gold Coast Rollers at...

David Lems

30 Jul 2025

Sport

NBL1 North finals battle: Matt’s decisive return against former home team

THE impact former Australian Boomers, NBL and Ipswich Force player Matt Hodgson still has on a game suggests he retired two years early. Hodgson announced he had finished playing after sharing in Force’s 2023 NBL1 North Championship triumph over...

David Lems

23 Jul 2025

Sport

Hot shot duo guiding Force to NBL1 North finals

THE high-flying Ipswich Force men have all but secured a spot in the NBL1 North playoffs after another mighty effort at their home court. Force’s 110-96 win over Cairns at JBS Arena was Ipswich’s seventh of the season, boosting their finals hopes with just two matches to play.

David Lems

16 Jul 2025

Sport

Overtime thriller: Ipswich Force men boost NBL1 North playoff hopes

THE Ipswich Force men’s and women’s teams will have different priorities when they return to their home court to face Cairns this weekend. The high-flying Force men are looking to lock up an NBL1 North playoff spot after their superb overtime...

David Lems

09 Jul 2025

Sport

Ipswich Force receive road trip boost for top challenge

IPSWICH Force head coach Colby Stefanovic welcomed a challenge against the NBL1 North competition leaders after his men’s team split their doubleheader series in Central Queensland. The Force men beat home side Mackay 98-86 on Friday night before...

David Lems

02 Jul 2025

Sport

Loyal Ipswich captain remains a mighty Force

IN his 15th season in state or NBL1 North leagues, Jason Ralph continues to inspire every game. Ralph conceded it was sometimes tough going to training on a cold night, especially after leading the Ipswich Force basketball team to its historic 2023...

David Lems

25 Jun 2025

Sport

Ipswich Force on the road for NBL1 North finals’ shot

THE Ipswich Force men welcome a break this weekend before tackling a road trip north that could decide their NBL1 North finals’ fortunes. Ipswich’s next games are in Mackay and Rockhampton on June 27 and 28. However, a handy rest before that...

David Lems

18 Jun 2025

Sport

Ipswich Force victory run ends in overtime thriller

THE Ipswich Force men are making a habit of providing nailbiting finishes. Up until their latest NBL1 North duel with Logan, Force had come out winners. But even with the return of American and NBL player DJ Mitchell, the Force were unable to close...

David Lems

04 Jun 2025

Sport

Lamar an Ipswich Force in last-gasp, three-point NBL1 North thriller

IPSWICH’S last-ditch victory hopes looked lost before an act of individual brilliance sent the home crowd into a joyous frenzy. American recruit Lamar Patterson nailed a three-point jump shot as the full-time buzzer sounded to secure the Force men...

David Lems

28 May 2025

Sport

Olympian Trish at home among Ipswich fans

THE Ipswich Force teams had a special guest cheering them on in their latest NBL1 North matches at JBS Stadium. Olympian Patricia “Trish” Cockrem happily accepted an invitation to catch up with Ipswich friends and see the high standard of state...

David Lems

28 May 2025

Sport

‘KD’ breathes life into Ipswich Force victory

EVEN a second quarter asthma attack failed to stop tenacious Ipswich Force import Kahlaijah ‘KD’ Dean from delivering another exceptional basketball performance. On a memorable night where both Force teams secured second wins, KD displayed her...

David Lems

21 May 2025

Sport

‘Recharged’ Ipswich Force men survive thriller

IPSWICH Force head coach Colby Stefanovic praised his home crowd supporters and appreciated a new season “recharge” after one of the most thrilling victories in many years. Leading by just one point in the first quarter and building a handy...

David Lems

14 May 2025

Sport

Ipswich Force teams deal with new NBL1 North challenges

THE new-look Ipswich Force women return home for their next NBL1 North game encouraged by their season-opening victory over the Gold Coast. Head coach Brad George summed it up perfectly declaring “the Gold Coast is a tough place to win so we’ll...

David Lems

07 May 2025

Sport

Top Ipswich Force recruiting for NBL1 North season

NEW Ipswich Force head coach Colby Stefanovic believes “all the stars have aligned” as he prepares for the latest NBL1 North season. Expecting a tough opening match with Gold Coast at Carrara, Stefanovic was cautiously excited about what his...

David Lems

30 Apr 2025

Sport

Thursday night NBL1 test for Ipswich Force women

WITH more than a decade’s coaching experience in NBL1 North and state league competitions, Brad George knows how unpredictable season-opening matches can be. Playing on a Thursday night first-up adds to the uncertainty. However, the Ipswich Force...

David Lems

30 Apr 2025

Sport

Ipswich basketball upgrade provides multi-use benefits

WITH a welcome pledge of $5 million in federal funding, Ipswich Basketball Association (IBA) president Toni Caldwell knows how important future expansion is. A recent feasibility study highlighted that Ipswich was currently nine courts short of what...

David Lems

09 Apr 2025

Sport

Force women settle into NBL1 build-up

AFTER a scramble to get everything sorted this time last year, Brad George is a more relaxed coach preparing for a new season. The Ipswich Force NBL1 North women’s team mentor has just launched training knowing that three months of pre-season work...

David Lems

12 Feb 2025

Sport

Ipswich Force’s NBL1 plan taking shape

UPBEAT Ipswich Force head coach Colby Stefanovic is happy to be home after seven years away, working with a responsive core of promising talent. While he’s still negotiating with National Basketball League [NBL] players while the playoffs are...

David Lems

05 Feb 2025