SBL Shootaround Podcasts. Women's - Randy Miegel (2-time Grand Final coach, 2-time Coach of the Year, Goldfields Giants 20th Anniversary Team captain) Men's - Ben Ettridge (2 championships/6 Grand Finals Joondalup Wolves, 2 World Championships, 218 games)
Episodes
Friday Jul 24, 2020
Friday Jul 24, 2020
We are incredibly exciting to bring you this edition of Men's SBL Shootaround and we have no doubt it's our best and biggest show yet!
This is as full a show as you can imagine as we preview Round 1 of the West Coast Classic, we announce and decide the winner of our NCAA Tournament to crown the Ultimate SBL Championship team, and we have two of the most remarkable guests in WA basketball you could ever hope to hear from.
Co-hosts Chris Pike and Ben Ettridge open up the show with an introduction and discussion of all that is to come before we get to our first guest, who makes quite a strong case for the Perth Redbacks of 1990 to win our NCAA Tournament.
Andrew Vlahov was the dominant figure of that 1990 championship team and he has no doubt they deserve to win this tournament. But to think that's all we have to talk to him about would be the world's biggest understatement.
This doubles as the chance for Ben to speak with his idol as well and the four-time Olympian, three-time NBL championship winner, Grand Final MVP, Australian Basketball Hall of Famer and all-round Perth Wildcats legend is incredibly generous with his time and has some remarkable stories that he shares with us.
But that's far from all on this show. It's then time for Glenn Ellis to make case for the 1991 Swan City Mustangs championship team he was part of. He makes a strong case too but again, that's far from all we spoke with him about.
Not only did Ellis play 140 SBL games after being a district competition star, but was an inaugural Perth Wildcats guard where he played 116 games and now he has gone on to win three Women's SBL championships as a coach, and be named Coach of the Year five times. He has a special story recollection of Bret Campbell too!
You might think that's all but it's then time for Chris, Ben and Kalamunda Eastern Suns coach Mark Utley to decide the winner out of the Perth Redbacks and Swan City Mustangs of the Ultimate SBL Championship team.
And we are still not done! It's then a full preview of Round 1 of the West Coast Classic, and then we wrap things up on a hell of a show!
Thursday Jul 23, 2020
Thursday Jul 23, 2020
We are really excited to bring you this episode of SBL Shootaround which includes a full preview of Round 1 of the West Coast Classic and a very special guest who will be taking part and has been a stalwart of the league with a great story to share.
First up on the latest SBL Shootaround, co-hosts Chris Pike and Randy Miegel have a chat about the latest basketball news and also have a discussion about what it's like coaching your children and dealing with good and bad parents as a coach.
It's then time for our special guest and it's 165-game SBL veteran Amber Land. We talk about starting her career in WA with the Warwick Senators, the move to the Joondalup Wolves and why Perth is now home for her after a basketball journey that saw her play all round the world before arriving at the Senators.
We don't just discuss her SBL journey though. We talk about Amber growing up in Kulm, North Dakota and then attending Eastern Michigan University and also about the Land Performance Centre that she has now helped make a reality this year in Balcatta.
Randy also discusses with Amber the time he tried to recruit her to the Mandurah Magic, and they share journeys of their teams doing battle over the years as she reflects on a career in the SBL where she has been a remarkably consistent big averaging 14 points and 11 rebounds a game.
We then provide a full preview of the Round 1 fixtures in the West Coast Classic getting under way on Friday night.
All made possible thanks to the support of Bassett-Scarfe Realty (www.bassettscarfe.com.au).
Tuesday Jul 21, 2020
Tuesday Jul 21, 2020
Things are now really getting exciting on SBL Shootaround with the West Coast Classic getting underway this weekend and we are down to the final four teams in our Ultimate SBL Championship Tournament.
That all means that Episode 9 of the SBL Shootaround is another fully loaded episode not only for those reasons, but we have a very special guest to look forward to talking to as well.
First up on this week's show is talk about preparations for the West Coast Classic this weekend and also an update on the Elite 8 results of our NCAA Tournament to crown the Ultimate SBL Champions and a look at the Final 4 match ups.
One of those teams left is the Goldfields Giants of 2007 who were coached by Stephen Charlton who is our special guest on this episode of SBL Shootaround.
With a remarkable life in basketball to talk about including 307 games as a player, three SBL championships as a coach and now his involvement in wheelchair basketball both with the Western Stars and national teams including the Gliders, there is no shortage of topics to talk to Charlie about.
We talk about his playing days, coaching days and everything in between including the success he experienced in a pressure-filled environment at the Goldfields Giants, coming back to Perth for success at the Cockburn Cougars and now life coaching wheelchair basketball too.
It's a conversation that easily could have gone on, but we tried to cover as much as possible with one of WA basketball's great servants.
Then before we wrap up this show, Ben Ettridge and Mark Utley are back to offer their thoughts on the Final 4 match ups in the NCAA Tournament to crown the Ultimate SBL Champions as we look ahead to our Championship episode which will double as a Round 1 West Coast Classic preview later this week.
Wednesday Jul 15, 2020
Wednesday Jul 15, 2020
Another week, another cracking episode of SBL Shootaround that we bring to you with two very special guests, talk about the upcoming West Coast Classic, our NCAA Tournament for Ultimate SBL Champions heats up further and one of our co-hosts has also been in the wars.
The latest episode of SBL Shootaround begins with the news that co-host Ben Ettridge has likely seen his basketball playing days come to an end having snapped his patella tendon, and since having undergone surgery leaving him grounded for some time.
Fellow co-host Chris Pike then puts Ben under the pump to choose his favourite teammate, coach to play under, player to coach and assistant coach before we turn our attention to our special guests for this episode.
First up is Lakeside Lightning legend Jarrad Prue. With three SBL championships and 384 games under his belt, and being the league's all-time leading rebounder by a mile, he has already built a tremendous legacy and it was our pleasure to have him join us to reflect back on his career.
Jarrad opens up about what basketball means to him and what his plans for the future are while reflecting back on his career and discussing the tremendous work he's put in to ensure he has always been in outstanding physical condition. We also reflect on the favourite teams he's been part of, his coaches and the teammates who have earned his everlasting respect.
We also discuss life beyond basketball with the husband and father of two, and partner in the BDO accounting firm. And that's just the beginning in a fascinating interview that we hope you all enjoy.
We then have a chat with inaugural Perth Wildcats NBL player and Wanneroo Wolves SBL player Bryn Jones who has both had a remarkable basketball and law enforcement journey for us to dissect.
We chat about Bryn's memories of his playing days from being an MVP and championship winner from the Districts Competition to playing in the first three NBL seasons for the Perth Wildcats, being part of the early days of the SBL and also representing Australia.
We also discuss Bryn's memories with the Swan City Mustangs as they advance in our NCAA Tournament and talk about family for Bryn which includes now being brother-in-law of Mark Utley.
Episode 8 of SBL Shootaround then continues as we move into looking at the Sweet 16 results of our NCAA Tournament before Ben Ettridge and Mark Utley predict their winners in the Elite 8 match ups.
We hope you all enjoy another jam packed show!
Tuesday Jul 14, 2020
Tuesday Jul 14, 2020
Episode 7 of SBL Shootaround is another that we are tremendously proud to bring you as the West Coast Classic approaches, we discuss the latest WNBL free agency news, delve into some coaching philosophies and then bring to you two very special guests with two people with an involvement in the SBL for over 30 years.
Episode 7 of SBL Shootaround begins with co-hosts Chris Pike and Randy Miegel introducing the show which will feature a former teammate of Randy's at the Goldfields Giants, Calvin 'Doc' Earl and current Perth Redbacks head coach and inaugural Geraldton Buccaneers player, Craig Allen.
Before we get to the guests, we do have a discussion over some of Randy's coaching principles and beliefs in a conversation recommended for any aspiring coaches.
It's then time to get to our guests and first up is the legendary Doc Earl. Having grown up in Richmond, California and then attended college in Oregon, he brought his talents to Kalgoorlie and never looked back.
He would go on to play 273 games with the Goldfields Giants including most of those seasons in the 1990s with Randy as his point guard and then two seasons with him as coach. The all-time SBL steals leader talks about how he would get 30 steals in games in the SBL today as he reflects on his remarkable career which featured some dunks that he sure hasn't forgotten.
Discussion also surrounds what brought him to Kalgoorlie and why he has stayed ever since, why he wanted to go home after two weeks but after four years he knew it was home, and even reveals to us where the nickname Doc came from!
We then turn our attention to current Perth Redbacks head coach Craig Allen, and talk about what 2020 has been like for him preparing a team for the SBL season, having that taken away and now getting a group ready again for the West Coast Classic.
We also discuss his long involvement in basketball that started in Geraldton in 1989 and has seen him move into coaching roles in the WABL, at state level and as an SBL assistant at the Willetton Tigers before getting the Redbacks role as head coach in 2019.
We also discuss Craig's career as a physiotherapist, his life as a husband and father of five, and plenty more.
Randy and Chris then close the show with some talk about the West Coast Classic and sign off for another week.
All made possible thanks to Bassett-Scarfe Realty (www.bassettscarfe.com.au).
Monday Jul 13, 2020
Monday Jul 13, 2020
Once again this week's Men's SBL Shootaround was too big to be contained to one episode and we are pleased to bring you this very special bonus release as a result.
SBL Shootaround co-hosts Chris Pike and Ben Ettridge already brought you a packed show this week where we discussed the latest West Coast Classic news, talked about the next stage of our NCAA Tournament to crown the Ultimate SBL Champions and spoke with Goldfields Giants head coach and the all-time SBL blocked shots leader Wayne Creek.
But now we are delighted to release this bonus episode where we have a very special chat with dual Perry Lakes Hawks championship winning point guard Ryan Gardiner.
Of course, we discuss that playing career with Ryan and also playing under the legendary coaching of his father, John, but that's just the beginning of where this bonus episode takes us.
Ryan talks about the special era that he played in at the Perry Lakes Hawks which included time with teammates like CJ Bruton, Matt Burston, Pete Hansen, Andy Uphoff, Dion Dagostino, Scott Harkess, Chris Carroll and so many more.
But Ryan's career has been a remarkable one beyond his playing days as well and don't forget, he was also a Perth Wildcats NBL Championship winner in 1995.
Ryan has done a wide array of things since including remaining involved in basketball with work at Basketball WA, running events in conjunction with Basketball Australia, FIBA and the NBL, working at the Perth Wildcats, being general manager at the South Dragons, and now working on the installation side of the Boomering business.
There's so much more to the Ryan Gardiner story than we can share here, but it's a fascinating discussion about everything to do with basketball and life, and we urge you to check it out!
Tuesday Jul 07, 2020
Tuesday Jul 07, 2020
Once again our latest episode of SBL Shootaround couldn't be contained to one show so on top of this packed release that includes all the latest on our Ultimate SBL Champions tournament and a chat with Goldfields Giants legend Wayne Creek, we'll be releasing a special bonus episode too.
With just three weeks now until the beginning of the West Coast Classic which will replace the SBL for 2020, the fixtures have been released and we discuss the Round 1 match ups to open up SBL Shootaround for this week with co-hosts Chris Pike and Ben Ettridge.
We then move into a discussion over the future coaching goals of Ettridge and what he might still want to achieve in his career considering everything he's already done at the Joondalup Wolves and with the Australian Rollers.
It's then time for our special guest for this episode and it's current Goldfields Giants coach and the SBL's all-time blocked shots leader, Wayne Creek. Growing up in Kalgoorlie, starting as a development player and then retiring after the Grand Final triumph of 2007, it was a remarkable playing journey over 312 games that he had with the Giants.
Since he has continued to give back to the club and is entering his second season in his second stint as head coach.
We discuss all of that but it's the fascinating stories he shares along the way and the views on basketball he expresses that truly make this a must-listen to discussion.
It's then time to focus on our NCAA Tournament to crown the Ultimate SBL Championship team. We discuss the Round of 32 results as decided by the votes of our listeners and Ben Ettridge is joined by Kalamunda Eastern Suns head coach Mark Utley to offer their predictions for the eight match ups in the Sweet 16 round.
And don't forget as well as this packed episode, we'll be releasing a bonus show this week featuring our chat with two-time Perry Lakes Hawks championship, 1995 Perth Wildcats champion and someone who has continued to be heavily involved in basketball beyond his playing days, Ryan Gardiner.
Monday Jul 06, 2020
Monday Jul 06, 2020
With just three weeks until official basketball action returns with the West Coast Classic, things are heating up on SBL Shootaround with another packed show with a special interview with a superstar from perhaps Western Australia's greatest sporting family.
Basketball Writer Chris Pike and Goldfields Giants legend and two-time SBL Coach of the Year Randy Miegel are back for another episode of SBL Shootaround and we begin by looking back on last week's show where we were joined by Craig Mansfield.
We then discuss the latest free agency news in the WNBL including Maddie Allen and Alex Ciabattoni signing at the Perth Lynx along with Ali Schwagmeyer joining the Sydney Uni Flames.
We then take a look at the players currently in the SBL or set to play in the West Coast Classic who deserve a look in at WNBL level.
It's then time for our very special guest for this episode, Melissa Marsh. We look back on her outstanding basketball career which included 266 WNBL games where she remains the all-time leader with 243 for Perth Lynx/West Coast Waves along with 267 SBL games at the Willetton Tigers. She also won four championships with Willetton which is the club closest to her heart as she discusses.
Now a mother of two, Min (she explains that nickname too) talks about her desire to get back involved in basketball as a coach while also reflecting with some fascinating stories about her playing career that lasted 15 years and even saw her play a season with the Adelaide Fellas!
She also discusses her famous family with her father Geoff and brothers Mitch and Shaun having played cricket for Australia, so there's that and so much more in a discussion we hope you all enjoy listening to as much as we did recording it.
We finish the show by looking at the release of the West Coast Classic fixtures, talk about a potential Goldfields Giants women's team and more.
All made possible thanks to Bassett-Scarfe Realty (www.bassettscarfe.com.au).
Saturday Jul 04, 2020
Saturday Jul 04, 2020
Things were too much to contain to one episode of SBL Shootaround this week and as a result here is a very special bonus episode where we catch up with 1992 Cockburn Cougars championship winning guard Michael Farrell.
This week's Men's SBL Shootaround saw co-hosts Chris Pike and Ben Ettridge catch up with Geraldton Buccaneers championship winning father-son duo Dan and Liam Hunt along with running through the Round of 32 predictions in our NCAA Tournament to crown the Ultimate SBL Championship winning team.
But we were just getting warmed up when we crossed to Michael Farrell in Shanghai, China, and now we have decided to release that as a special bonus episode which is available here.
We start off the chat by discussing Mike's SBL career which saw him amass 229 games between 1990-2002 with stints at the Cockburn Cougars, Willetton Tigers, Perth Redbacks and Geraldton Buccaneers in between stints in the United States at college and also appeared in the NBL at the Perth Wildcats in 1993.
There are plenty more fascinating stories that Mike shares from his playing days and also from the last 15 years that has taken him from Singapore to Japan to China as part of the international teaching circuit while retaining some involvement in basketball.
But Mike's passion and knowledge of the SBL remains remarkable and as a basketball historian, analyst and commentator, there are few better. We go into an in-depth discussion about our tournament to crown the Ultimate SBL Champions and Mike fills us in on the top five most efficient players from those 32 title winning teams along with which of the teams stand out to him.
As someone who won a championship with Cockburn in 1992, played in Grand Finals in 1998 and 2001 and has remained a keen student of the game ever since, his insights are remarkable and this is a special bonus episode well worth tuning in for!
Tuesday Jun 30, 2020
Tuesday Jun 30, 2020
This was such a big episode of SBL Shootaround that it couldn't be contained to one episode and we will be releasing a special bonus episode as well this week as a result!
Momentum is really building nicely now as we release Episode 6 of SBL Shootaround co-hosted by basketball writer Chris Pike and two-time SBL championship-winning coach Ben Ettridge.
As we build up to the West Coast Classic that will be replacing the 2020 SBL season, we have unveiled an NCAA Tournament to crown the Ultimate SBL Championship winning team, and this episode was all about the Round of 32 match ups that includes Dan Hunt's East Perth Eagles of 1988 going up against his son Liam's Geraldton Buccaneers team of 2019.
To celebrate that we are honoured on SBL Shootaround to have both Dan and Liam Hunt join us on the show together live from Geraldton. In a fascinating discussion, they both share their thoughts on how the match up would go both between their teams and individually, and run down the reasons they think their respective teams would win.
But we also chat to Liam Hunt about following his father's footsteps in Geraldton, the emotion of winning last year's championship, how excited he is to be playing West Coast Classic with brother Jesse, signing a contract to play the upcoming season in Germany and his NBL ambitions.
Dan Hunt also reflects on his remarkable 382-game SBL career with the Buccs on the back of his time at East Perth when he first came down under as an import. He talked about the nerves but pride he gets from watching his sons play, talks about the great teams and players he was part of, and even talks about Ben Ettridge being good for the game and league!
Then it's time to run down our predictions for the 16 Round of 32 match ups between all SBL championship winning teams and to do that, one of the league's great stalwarts and minds, Mark Utley chimes in as he and Ben give their predictions.
If that's not enough for this week, we'll also be releasing a very special bonus episode with an interview with Cockburn Cougars 1992 championship winning guard Michael Farrell as he dissects the championship winning teams, and shares his personal story that needed its own episode!