Basketball

47a68d826d1010241e7254ee2bd05ece

Sunday, 2 November 2025

Log in Subscribe

Basketball

Former international referee helping Ipswich basketball

AFTER 13 years as a trailblazing NBL referee and a decade officiating international games, proud Ipswich achiever Toni Caldwell retired in 2020 to move into administration. Five years later, she is focused on helping the next generation of referees...

Thanks to loyal people making an impact in Ipswich

Opinion AS we move from the winter to summer sporting seasons, it’s timely to acknowledge the many dedicated people in the Ipswich region. We are so fortunate to have a diverse range of players, officials, coaches, referees and umpires, along with...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

‘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...

‘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...

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...

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...

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...

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...