By Lachlan Everett for NBL1.com.au
The born and bred Frankston basketball star has made a name for herself in Townsville.
Steph Reid has made Townsville home for the past three years with the WNBL’s Townville Fire and the NBL1 North’s Townsville Flames.
And she’s not going anywhere, the NBL1 North Grand Final series MVP Steph Reid has re-signed with the Flames for the 2023 NBL1 season. Reid told NBL1 media why she’s settled 2,527 kilometres away from home in Townsville.
“The big glowing factor would have to be Shannon [Seebohm],” she said.
“I know he's the best thing for my basketball. And being someone that is quite basketball-focused in my life, it just makes sense to be near him at all times.
“He's done a lot for me in terms of development. But also, I just think the basketball community in itself is so supportive that I have fallen in love with (Townsville) and don't really want to leave.”
The reigning NBL1 North Women’s Coach of the Year will not take the reins of the Flames next season, as James Rapinett will be the head coach after being an assistant coach under Seebohm for many years.
Despite this, Reid says she and the team have full confidence in James to help them in their quest to repeat as champions.
“I can always work out with Shannon on a day-to-day basis and we'll still do a lot of individual work and skill development,” she said.
“But I have full faith in Jimmy, James is a phenomenal person and he has learned a lot in the last three seasons I've been around him.
“He's demonstrated this year a couple of times that he can be a head coach, so I really want to be a part of his first NBL1 coaching season. I think that he's got a lot to bring as a head coach, and I know all the girls are really excited to play for him.”
With the NBL1 fixtures being announced last week, Reid is already looking ahead to the NBL1 North tip-off date of March 24.
“I think the conference is gonna be really, really strong this year by the sounds of it,” she said.
“So I don't think any team will be much stronger than the other. I think Northside will be really, really good. And I'm excited to play against them as well.”
Despite being arch-rivals during the NBL1 North season, facing off in the Grand Finals series. The Logan Thunder’s Mikaela Ruef has been one of Reid’s favourite teammates in the WNBL so far.
“She's become one of my favourite teammates, like, I can't have favourites because I'm the point guard, and I gotta feed everybody, but I think she's just a winner,” Reid said.
“She's the most competitive person I know, outside of myself. And she's definitely someone I'm extremely happy to play with and not against anymore.
“We've become really good mates, I just love how hard she competes every day, every training, every game, she just wants to win. And I think that's something we have in common.”
Last season there were two versions of the Flames, the start of the season and the Coles Express NBL1 Nationals Finals included the core of Reid, Courtney Woods, Mia Murray and more. But for the second half of the NBL1 North season, the Flames acquired Alanna Smith, who just signed with the Hobart Chargers for next season.
The Flames were capable of winning without Smith’s addition, but she made them the favourites when she signed. Reid said while she’s happy to see Smith play at home, she believes the Flames can reignite that earlier success they had and repeat as champions.
“[We’ll] be will be okay. I mean, obviously, she's an unbelievable player. And she's having a great season over in Poland at the moment,” she said.
“But you know, we've got a few people that live locally and hopefully a few college kids that will come back. Townsville is a really good basketball city in terms of the juniors that they develop. I think that we've got a couple that we can hopefully get to return and that will be really, really good for us.
“I think we have a winning culture. And I think Jimmy will make sure that's the case as well. So you know, we lose Alanna, but I think we'll still be very strong and competitive.”
To stay up-to-date with the NBL1, see the 2023 NBL1 Roster Tracker here.
Feature image via: B.Rad Sports Photography
