Familiar faces return for Miners

MANAGEMENT at the Hotondo Homes Ballarat Miners have inked three players to the club’s roster for the upcoming NBL1 South season.

Former captain Liam Gibcus will return after playing with the Dandenong Rangers for the last few years. He’ll be joined by club stalwart Tristan Fisher, and Ballarat junior system product Daniel Joyce.

Miners elite teams manager Glenn White was pleased with all three singings, saying of Fisher specifically, “Tristan is yet another example of a local Ballarat athlete developing through the talent pathway programs so it will be exciting to see him on the court again this season.”

Gibcus last played in for the Miners in the 2014-15 season, before moving to Dandenong Rangers in the South East Australian Basketball League until last year.

Before his last stint in Ballarat, the 208cm forward-centre lined up for the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

“Very Excited to be back playing again this year for the Hotondo Homes Ballarat Miners. I’ve been away from Ballarat for a number of years and had last year off basketball so can’t wait to get back to playing again,” he said.

“I am looking forward to being back involved with the club again, Ballarat do a terrific job of promoting the games and creating a quality atmosphere on game day.

“Obviously playing at the new stadium is exciting and looking forward to bringing the spirit of the Miner Dome to a new venue.”

Ballarat junior system product Tristan Fisher first signed on for the Miners in 2015 after playing junior with Ballarat Celtic Tigers as well as lining up for rep teams.

The 185cm guard had a 32 per cent shooting average last year, logging five appearances and averaging just under 11 minutes playing time, although he did land a season high 22 minutes against the Waverley Falcons.

“I’m happy to be playing with the Miners again in 2020,” he said. “There’s going to be even more hype around the league than last year which is motivating for the team.

“I’m looking forward to getting back into the swing of things, improving my game and learning from [coach] Brendan [Joyce] and my teammates.”

Lastly, Daniel Joyce moves from the Canberra Gunners in the NSW Waratah League where in 2019 he had a strong 13.29 points per game average and a shooting percentage at just under 36 per cent.

The 189cm tall guard also played juniors with the Celtic Tigers before moving to Illawarra with his family. Along the wat he’s had stints in the NBL with the Sydney Kings, Gold Coast Blaze and Illawarra Hawks.

“I am ecstatic to be back signing with my first NBL1 club that I played for in 2010,” he said. “Ever since I have left I have kept track of the Miners and kept in contact with some of the local people.

“After what the Miners did last year, I am very keen to try and help them get to the next level and win it all.”

The Ballarat Miners and Rush will line up in the NBL1 South this season. A new conference system has been created following the league’s inaugural season in 2019, with the new NBL1 North taking in 13 teams from Queensland.

The new system means conference finals, where south and north will tip off against each other in September.