Emotional Annual Basketball Presentation Unites Supporters

Last Friday night, Waverley College hosted the annual Basketball Presentation for the 2021/2022 season. This was an emotional night for many, as it was the Year 12 students’ last season playing in the blue and gold uniform. The night consisted of a wide variety of tasty food, drinks, awards and memorable moments.

The night was organised by the Basketball Supporters’ Club, and a special thanks goes to Nicole Abbott (President) and Stephen Abbott, who have worked tirelessly for the club for many years.

Another special thanks goes to the Convenor of Basketball, Mr Anthony Gibbs, for putting this night together, as well as organising the season. The night commenced with a dinner in Braidwood, followed by a variety of shooting competitions in the Gym, with the last part of the night hosting the award ceremony.

Special Thanks to Old Boy, Mr Ryan Abbott (Class of 2020)

A special thank you to Old Boy, Mr Ryan Abbott, who recorded a short welcome message that was played at the start of the awards ceremony.

Mr Abbott attended Waverley College from 2013 to 2020, and is currently in California, studying a Bachelor of Business Administration at Fresno Pacific University (FPU).

Mr Abbott has enjoyed a standout Freshman year as the starting Small Forward for the FPU Sunbirds. He helped the Sunbirds reach the Quarter Finals of the PacWest Conference Basketball Championships.

Among the many accolades he obtained during his time at Waverley, including Captain and MVP of 1st V, Mr Abbott also represented NSW in the U18 and U20 State teams, and Australia at the 2019 FIBA U17 Oceania Championships. He will return to Australia during his summer break from college, and play for Norths Bears Men’s NBL1 team.

Congratulations

Congratulations to the following players who received the highest honours within their year groups: Marko Rangan (1st V Best and Fairest); Cooper Stynes and Solomon Tuqiri (2nd V Joint Best and Fairest); Aren Yaghoubian (10A Best and Fairest); Benjamin Pignatelli (9A Best and Fairest); Tane Barclay and Angus Peshos 8A (Joint Best and Fairest); and Dominic Dametto (7A Best and Fairest). 

This year has been a successful season compared to previous seasons, with a 6% increase in wins over the past five seasons. This could not have happened without the leadership and contribution of the Year 12 players over their time in the Basketball program.

Congratulations to these players who received a Service to Basketball award: Hugo Roles (Captain of 1st V), Cameron Abbott (1st V), Solomon Tuqiri (Co-Captain of 2nd V), Aodan Byrne (Co Captain of 2nd V), Dakota Fanning (2nd V), James Jones (2nd V), Hugo King (2nd V), Jake Mckell (2nd V) and Cooper Stynes (2nd V).

Congratulations to Alejandro Zanapalis and Jock Edwards for winning the two-point shooting competition, and Alejandro Zanapalis for winning the three-point shooting competition. Both received brand new basketballs as prizes.

Special Acknowledgement

A special thanks goes to the coaches who were up for all the early mornings or late afternoons for games and trainings throughout the season.

Thank you to the following staff members for attending and supporting the night: Mr Stephen O’Donnell (Director of Co-curricular), Mr Stephen Wilmot (Assistant Director of Co-curricular), Mr Linden Smith-Hyde (Assistant Coach, 1st V), Mr James Spargo (Head Coach, 2nd V), Mr James Minogue (Assistant Coach, 2nd V), Mr Tom Kennedy (Coach, 9A/B), Mr Kyle Goulding (Coach, 8A/B), Mr Ed Smith (Coach, 8A/B), Ms Jenna Turnbull (Coach, 7A/B) and Mr Andrew Sexton (Coach, 5th V/6th V).

Thank you also to Ms Cathy Pham, a University of NSW student, undertaking her practicum at Waverley College, who assisted on the night.

Thank you to all the parents/carers who made the season possible, along with Presentation Night.

Full List of 2021/22 Basketball Season Award Winners

Basketball Award	Award Winner
Captain of Basketball	Thomas Gleeson
Captain of 1st V	Hugo Roles
1st V MVP	Marko Rangan
1st V Best Defensive Player	Thomas Gleeson
1st V Most Improved Player	Daniel Palacio
2nd V MVP	Cooper Stynes
2nd V MVP	Solomon Tuqiri
2nd V Most Improved Player	Charlie Smith
Service to Basketball	Cameron Abbott
Service to Basketball	Hugo Roles
Service to Basketball	Solomon Tuqiri
Service to Basketball	Dakota Fanning
Service to Basketball	Aodan Byrne
Service to Basketball	Jake McKell
Service to Basketball	Cooper Stynes
Service to Basketball	James Jones
Service to Basketball	Hugo King
3rd V Best and Fairest	Finlay Chandler
4th V Best and Fairest	Samuel Stewart
5th V Best and Fairest	Lachlan McMunn
6th V Best and Fairest	John Walsh
7th V Best and Fairest	Brandon Reid
8th V Best and Fairest	Daniel Di Paola
9th V Best and Fairest	Darcy Ferguson
10th V Best and Fairest	Jesse Harper
11th V Best and Fairest	James Armstrong
12th V Best and Fairest	Frank Vescio
10A Best and Fairest Player	Aren Yaghoubian
10A Best Defensive Player	Tashi Harrison
10A Most Improved Player	Solomon Maxwell
10B Best and Fairest Player	Christian Robbins
10C Best and Fairest	Declan Minto
10D Best and Fairest	Ashton Child
10E Best and Fairest	Cameron Pierce
10F Best and Fairest	Eamon Henderson
10G Best and Fairest	Alfie Griffiths
10H Best and Fairest	Campbell McCarthy
9A Best and Fairest Player	Benjamin Pignatelli
9A Best Defensive Player	Renato Rovacchi
9A Most Improved Player	Giles Strachan
9B Best and Fairest Player	Oliver Stynes
9C Best and Fairest	Fergus Dominy
9D Best and Fairest	Cooper Butler
9E Best and Fairest	Max Tomic
9F Best and Fairest	Jules Bryan
9G Best and Fairest	Digger Callander
9H Best and Fairest	Hamish Witten
8A Best and Fairest	Angus Peshos
8A Best and Fairest	Tane Barclay
8A Best Defensive Player	Lachlan Gibbins
8A Most Improved Player	Petris Kalpouzanis
8B Best and Fairest Player	Noah Thomas
8C Best and Fairest	Cooper Ryan
8D Best and Fairest	Ben Darcy
8E Best and Fairest	Nicholas Russell
8F Best and Fairest	Riley Tutty
8G Best and Fairest	Ashton Scally
8H Best and Fairest	Ethan Varvaressos
7A Best and Fairest	Dominic Dametto
7A Best Defensive Player	Hayden McAusland
7A Most Improved Player	Otto Murcutt
7B Best and Fairest Player	Levi O’Keefe
7C Best and Fairest	Liam Gardiner
7D Best and Fairest	Tyden Hennessey
7E Best and Fairest	Luc Le Roux
7F Best and Fairest	Archie Nicholson
7G Best and Fairest	Finley Cromer
7H Best and Fairest	Alex Moore
Outstanding Contribution to Waverley Basketball	Mr Matthew Johnston
Outstanding Contribution to Waverley Basketball	Mr Stephen Wilmot
Outstanding Contribution to Waverley Basketball	Mr James Spargo
With great appreciation from Waverley Basketball	Mr Stephen O’Donnell
With great appreciation from Waverley Basketball	Mr Linden Smith-Hyde
With great appreciation from Waverley Basketball	Mr James Minogue
With great appreciation from Waverley Basketball	Mr Damien Thompson
With great appreciation from Waverley Basketball	Mr Thomas Kennedy
With great appreciation from Waverley Basketball	Mr Kyle Goulding
With great appreciation from Waverley Basketball	Mr Ed Smith
With great appreciation from Waverley Basketball	Ms Jenna Turnbull
With great appreciation from Waverley Basketball	Mr Damian Murphy
With great appreciation from Waverley Basketball	Mrs Anne O’Loughlin
With great appreciation from Waverley Basketball	Mr John Christoforidis
With great appreciation from Waverley Basketball	Mr Jamie Mattick
With great appreciation from Waverley Basketball	Mr Luca Zanarini
With great appreciation from Waverley Basketball	Mr Jacob Gibson
With great appreciation from Waverley Basketball	Mr Sebastian Rasmussen
Waverley Basketball Supporters’ Club	Mrs Nicole Abbott
Waverley Basketball Supporters’ Club	Mr Stephen Abbott

 

 

Student Reporters

Tom Gleeson (Captain of Basketball)

Hugo Roles (Captain of 1st V)

 

Mr Anthony Gibbs

Convenor of Basketball

E: agibbs@waverley.nsw.edu.au