Top Supercats receive 2023 honours

GEELONG United Supercats stars Demarcus Gatlin and Sarah Elsworthy have taken home the club’s top honours at Geelong United Basketball’s presentation night, held on Thursday last week.

Gatlin served as the men side’s captain in season 2023 averaging 16.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game to claim Geelong United’s NBL1 Men’s Most Valuable Player award.

He also led the team in assists (4.9), steals (2.6) and blocks (0.9) and was nominated for NBL1 South’s Defensive Player of the Year.

Gatlin produced a stunning triple-double of 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 13 assists in the final home game of the season to cap off a tremendous year.

“Demarcus is one of the greatest humans you would ever meet,” head coach Grant Wallace said.

“Unselfish, caring and of high integrity in all that he does. He’s an absolute pro. He is as an intense competitor as you would find anywhere – he enjoyed every defensive challenge thrown his way.

“He has adapted his game to be a great threat attacking the rim or stretching the floor with the long-range three.

“When he is up and about, we are up and about. His intensity is contagious. A very complete year and deserved of recognition for his importance to the team.”

 

 

Women’s skipper Sarah Elsworthy helped lead her side to a home preliminary final, which ultimately ended in a loss to Waverley, but was recognised for her overall efforts and was named as the club’s Most Valuable Player.

“While not huge in stature, Sarah took on a mammoth workload this season and took it all in her stride,” head coach Matthew Paton said.

“She was one of the premier players in the league in her position at both ends of the floor, consistently threatening the rim while also wreaking defensive havoc on the opposition’s best playmakers.

“Carrying out individual training sessions every week without fail, she is a true professional and continually showed her leadership by setting high standards for herself and her team-mates.

“There is no doubt that the team would not have enjoyed the success it had this season without Sarah’s contribution.”

Elsworthy averaged 39 minutes per game, playing all 40 minutes on 15 occasions. She also had 16.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, a team-high 4.1 assists, and 2.9 steals per contest.

Liam Herbert and Eve Braslis were the Coaches Award recipients for their respective sides.

Ma’alo Hicks and Jessica Scannell were praised by their peers for their seasons, with both receiving the Players’ Player Awards.