Seahawks doing it for the Gold Coast region
With the elevation of the North Gold Coast Seahawks to the QBL this season, we have seen a group of men tested by adversity but who remain positive about the future. In speaking with the Seahawks for The Pick and Roll, the dedication to this team and their region is truly apparent.
The Seahawks are a team with a proud recent history in the State Basketball League, finishing high on the ladder over the past few seasons. The QBL however is a step up, with an increased spread of talent, with a team's fortunes influenced by incoming and outgoing personnel.
In its debut season, the Seahawks have already seen three changes of coach over the opening nine rounds as the squad sits at the bottom of the ladder with only two wins from 13 games played. Although they may have struggled when it comes to the column, this team has raw and talented stars in Cameron Goldfinch, Remy Lawyer and Jerron Jamerson. They are uncut diamonds, and with greater experience they have the potential to become the shining crown jewels in the league.
Jerron Jamerson | Credit: Fan Fair
Jamerson is the import on the scene hailing from Indiana, arriving on the Gold Coast via Canada and most recently Darwin. Not only as a player but as an individual, he is regarded a respected role model to his younger team-mates, something he takes great pride in.
“I want to keep playing at the highest level for me. If I can get younger kids involved that will only motivate me to keep playing,” he says.
Speaking with Jamerson about the upcoming round, the larger than life cult figure was upbeat.
“The squad is feeling really great about these two games this weekend. We’ve grown in confidence over the past two rounds and confident we can hit the court and execute the game plans set out.”
A name to keep an eye out for in the future is the Seahawks' 18-year-old guard/forward Cameron Goldfinch. A Gold Coast local who attended Benowa High School, he earned multiple honours and awards as well as selection in all-regional teams in learning the game locally. He just completed his freshman year at Newman University, Kansas where he appeared in 25 games, 12 as a starter. In being a local product and having played a bulk majority of his career with the Seahawks, he attributes a lot of what it means to play for this side down to their community.
“A massive reason we are were so successful coming through SBL is our fan base," Goldfinch beamed. "The Seahawks is a tight community and especially for me having been here since I was eight years old it has always been like another family for me."
Being young, dynamic and quick, Goldfinch recognises he has an opportunity to establish a rewarding career in basketball. The way this young up-and-comer plays and commits to his team, showcases the skill set and attributes needed to not only crack a NBL roster, but also develop and establish himself as a key player.
“We really had not found our identity early in the season, but I feel over the past few rounds we have remained competitive and are starting to discover what we stand for," Goldfinch explained. "We need to remain a highly defensive side while slowing the pace down. Whenever teams get the jump on us offensively, we are done and they will speed up that scoring. We are a fairly small team compared to others in the league so we need to try and use the perimeter to defend.”
Cameron Goldfinch | Credit Fan Fair
Another local product is point guard Remy Lawyer who is playing his third season in the QBL after two seasons with Gladstone Port City Power. Softly spoken, passionate and extremely humble, it is not hard to understand why this guy is the squad captain and will be huge in the NBL in the future. He promotes the younger players in his side as being great contributors, and is comitted to supporting the direction the considerably young Seahawks are heading beyond their debut QBL season.
“The young Seahawks weren’t given enough credit for how ready they were for this league or their performances on the court," outlined Lawyer. "You only have to look at guys like Sasha Lomakin – a really short guard who has been consistently solid for us, especially defensively, and always goes above and beyond for our team."
Having also played representative basketball for the Seahawks in the BQJBC and SBL competitions, the point guard is faithful to the team and is excited about what is to come.
“Our fan base is at the top of the list for why I decided to join the Seahawks," further added Lawyer. "They are loud, passionate and their understanding of the game is a lot better to most other people. They are a huge motivator for us, and keep telling us to keep going. Having a strong, established fan-base is greatly beneficial to us moving forward,"
The players know the game plan going forward and understand the importance of finishing their debut QBL season off strongly.
“In games going forward we need to restrict teams to scoring under 100 points," suggested Goldfinch. "In a lot of earlier games we got blown out, and to buy a ticket to the last five minutes of the game, that’s what we need to be doing."
Lawyer would add that moving forward the focus would be on consistency and development, building a sustainable platform for the future.
“Our consistency across the board is going to be a huge focus for us," added Lawyer. "This season is greatly about developing the juniors coming through and giving them a real pathway in the QBL."
Remy Lawyer | Credit: Fan Fair
The point guard also drew from his experience with Gladstone in understanding how unique the QBL was and what that meant for those younger generations coming through.
“I don’t think there is another league like it in the world – you never know what to expect from season to season," enthused Lawyer.
"A team might get a new guy that you have never seen before, or may not have the build you expect – who comes in and dominates the entire league. A great example of this is the Toowoomba Mountaineers' [Damon] Bozeman. He has a great personality like Steph Curry, but as soon as its game time he is ready to do battle. I could learn a lot, as a point guard and a player from taking a page from his book."
This week the North Gold Coast Seahawks play twice at Runaway Bay Indoor Stadium. On Friday, 13 July, the Seahawks host the South West Metro Pirates with tip-off at 8:00pm, followed by a contest on Saturday, 14 July when they host the Southern District Spartans (tip-off at 7:30pm).
Lawyer was extremely positive ahead of this weekend’s double header clash.
“The attitude and intensity has been about building more positivity within the squad and being productive in play. We have a game plan and if we put in a full eighty minutes of solid basketball we are confident we can get away with two W’s this weekend.”
Watch #QBL18 Live Online
You can watch 2018 QBL action live and free online: check the schedule for dates and times.