Heal gloss rubbing off on hopefuls
The Queensland Times | Paul Smeaton | 14th December 2011
IF THERE was any doubt about the value of Shane Heal's appointment as Ipswich Force coach for next season, it was recently dispelled at the Ipswich Basketball Stadium.
Heal ran his first open-call pre-season training session at his new home court last Friday and players came from far and wide to work out with the Australian basketball legend.
With only five players confirmed for next season's QBL campaign, Ipswich Basketball president Neil Coupland advertised the session as an open shoot around to attract additional numbers.
Players from the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Toowoomba made the journey to join an array of local talent for the two-hour scrimmage.
The numbers alone would have pleased Coupland who knows Heal's value is as much off the court as it is on.
The former Brisbane Bullet hit the floor himself during the session, looking as though he could suit up for a NBL team tomorrow night if he so chose.
His trademark long range jump shot was as effective as ever with the one-time NBA player making baskets from outside the arc as casually as most players shoot free throws.
Heal spent plenty of time passing on shooting tips to recruits Ryan Jefferies and Shaun Gleeson who will be important parts of the Force's long-range arsenal.
Considering Heal is regarded as one of Australia's best pure shooters, the two NBL prospects could have no better mentor to learn from.
Force veteran Ryan Stolberg and recent retiree Daniel Robinson both turned out for the pre-Christmas run as well as exciting young off-guard Jason Ralph.
Also joining the Ipswich shoot-around was exciting Toowoomba 16-year-old Josh Derksen who spent the last six months at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.
The six-foot nine inch (206cm) small forward impressed with his consistent perimeter shooting, matching that of his more experienced counterparts.
Heal, along with assistant coach Ben Thompson, will run a series of shoot-around sessions in the lead-up to the 2012 pre-season training schedule.
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