Stories from Court 1, as published in SBL game programs, 2019

Let’s Celebrate the History of Court 1 by Recognising those who have played on it!

Article by Pam Langshaw

To many Jeff Anderson is only known as Willetton’s Stadium Manager and he is often asked if he had played basketball. But there is much more to the Jeff Anderson’s story and his connection with Willetton’s Court 1. Brought to Australia in 1981 to play with an All-Star team, Jeff was brought back out to play for the Tangney Tigers in 1983 for two seasons. Our club was then known as Tangney Tigers before later changing its name to Willetton Tigers. Jeff played in what then was called District Basketball as it was pre the State Basketball League. It was played on a Friday night at Perry Lakes as most clubs didn’t have their own venue in those days. Games were played at 6pm, 8pm and 10pm and the 10pm game regularly went past midnight! For the next four years, Jeff played firstly with Swan City Mustangs and then the Stirling Senators. During that time, he won his first League MVP.

In 1989, the first year of the SBL, Jeff rejoined Willetton, playing for the now Apple Centre Tigers. This period was the start of some great years playing basketball on court 1. In one season he averaged 36 points per game for the whole of the regular season. Humble Jeff pointed out that despite this score he was only 3^rd or 4^th highest scorer for the season! His regular season game high was 51 points. He recollects playing on the dark jarrah floor with a mustard yellow surrounding which later became a more pleasant blue surround as we know it today.

During his time playing Jeff played alongside many well-known Willetton people such as Alan Black, Warren Hampson, Simon Parker, Michael Winter and also Steve Charlton, Trevor Torrance, Dion Cooke and many more. He was always one of the stars and usually teams would play a box and one against the Tigers where they would play a zone except for one player whose job it was to play man to man defence against Jeff! Despite this close attention, he continued to excel for his team and won three more League Most Valuable Player awards.

Jeff remembers one game when a player who made a huge impact in a short period, Paul (Snoopy) Graham, playing for Kalgoorlie, scored a game high 82 points. Jeff was congratulated afterwards on his own 46 points but as he said when one player has just scored that many points against you, its hard to be pleased at your own effort. Snoopy Graham left Kalgoorlie soon after, returning to the United States where for the next two years he played for the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA.

For the last years of his playing time, Jeff took on the dual role of Head Coach and continued Coaching for a short time after his retirement. His last year he was named the SBL’s Coach of the Year. In 2013 at BWA’s Annual Awards dinner they celebrated 25 years of SBL history. Jeff Anderson was named one of the members of the All-Star team.

Like many US born players who come to our shores, Jeff met the love of his life in Audrey and decided to settle down in Australia. Children, Michaela and Mason completed their family and Jeff is now happily an Australian but with strong family links in the country of his birth.

When Jeff rejoined Willetton, he also took on the role of Assistant Manager but as he told me, this meant that he swept the courts, set-up equipment and even cleaned the toilets! This was the commencement of 30 years, still going strong, of being at Willetton as a staff member. Initially, he also worked at the Burswood Casino as a croupier, making sure that he could make ends meet. It wasn’t long though before he was able to give up working at the Burswood and he was appointed Manager of the Willetton Stadium. Whilst to this day, he still sets up equipment, he no longer has to clean the toilets!

Jeff still loves what he does and what he does, he does so well! In his time at Willetton he has grown his holiday camps and school excursions to where more than 2,000 children per year spend time on Willetton’s Court 1. Over his 30 years he estimates that more than 40,000 children have participated in a Jeff Anderson run Holiday Camp, School Excursion, Sunday Academy or Skills program. He strongly believes that the reason that they continue to be so successful is because he is willing to not only organise them but to be part of them and be the face of the camps and in loving what he does, participants can’t help but love it too. Today he is teaching basketball skills to children or in some cases grand-children of those he taught 30 years ago! The end of every holiday camp finishes with presentations on Court 1, so more memories. Today he no longer gets mistaken for Michael Jordan by children participating and he certainly deserves to be known by his own name, Jeff Anderson.

In Jeff’s own words, “I have always believed that Willetton had the best main court in the competition. I attribute the success of both our men’s and women’s program, to not only the great fans but the facility that we offer our players. I along with so many loyal players have spent countless hours running, sweating and bleeding on court 1 but most of all enjoying what I believe to be the best sixth man on our team – Court 1. And now sadly it will soon no longer be the BCE! (i.e. Best Court Ever).”

Couple of Jeff’s fond memories that he will always have:

 

• Warming up for a match when team-mate, Dion Cooke “shattered” the backboard! Unlike one that had been fully shattered earlier in the season elsewhere, the Willetton Court 1 Perspex held firm and only a crack occurred which remained for several years until it was eventually replaced.
• The vintage court we now have has over the past 30 years received a lot of wear and tear. With the dead spots it now has, this is our special court and is the nearest thing to the Boston Garden. (If like me, you haven’t heard of the Boston Garden, Jeff was able to explain that this was a court that NBA games were played on in Boston that had many dead spots and despite the money in the NBA they wouldn’t fix or replace it!)
• Finally, the fantastic games that I was either a part of as a player coach or spectator. Memories that will forever stay with me.

 

Questions and Answers with Melissa Marsh

Article by Sarah Mozley

 Despite recently having her second child, a little boy, Melissa Marsh had time to answer some questions from our reporter, Sarah Mozley. During many of the games, Melissa played for the Tigers as Captain. In 2017 Melissa was named as one of the first 6 Players to be inducted as Willetton Tigers SBL Player Life Members and more recently in 2019, she was named a Player Life Member of the WNBL, receiving this award in front of the current Perth Lynx team and their supporters.

1) When did you play for the Willetton Tigers? 

I played from roughly 2009 (a few games) to about 2014/2015. I think I played 250 games or just over. I have played at Willetton as a Junior, starting for Roadies as a six-year-old. (Editor’s note: Melissa actually started playing in 2000 and played 268 games)

For how long - too long haha 

3) Which coach had the most influence on you and why? 

It's hard to put it down to one coach as each coach as a different style and you learn so much. I had several great junior coaches which to me is vital in the development and learning of the basic skills. Shayne Hampel, Megan Martin, Craig Friday, Dale Waters and Robyn Winter to mention a few. These coaches were fundamental in learning the basics. I then grew in confidence which they instilled in me. 

4) What was the most memorable game in your career and why? 

We are going back a few years now but winning the four championships were the best, as that is what you play for. I cherished my time at Willetton, the people and the club so to be able to share in the success was unreal. 

5) What memories can you share from playing home games at Willetton Stadium on Court One? 

Playing on court one is like being at home. As soon as you walk into the stadium, you’re at ease, confident and pumped to play. 

The great memories are the people, the best part of playing sport! 

6) What did you love about playing for the Tigers? 

The people, the club, supports, families and my team mates. So many great friendships, championships and lifelong lessons learnt. 

There truly is no other better club and I've been privileged to play for so long. Willetton is my home away from home.