RECENTLY, the National Basketball League (NBL)1 announced the introduction of a league based on the eastern seaboard, as they expanded their work across Australia. With the Australian basketball system producing more talent than ever, it was a justified move, as the eastern league joins the NBL1 North, NBL1 South, NBL1 Central and NBL1 West as the competitions spread out across Australia.

The league will be made up of 12 teams from the eastern shores of Australia, with many coming from the Waratah 1 competition. The NBL1 has shown this competition allows teams to take their respective games to the next level, and the teams entering NBL1 East will be looking to do the same. In this series, we introduce you to the 12 sides who will be taking the court in the league’s inaugural season in 2022. Next up on the agenda are the Hills Hornets.

The Hornets are based in the Hills District of Sydney in New South Wales, specifically in Castle Hill. They are a division of the Hills Basketball Association, which is the major program of the sport in the area.

The club was formed in 1984, where they joined as a semi-professional basketball side, and began entering sides in many leagues affiliated with Basketball New South Wales. This included the Waratah League, which began hosting a number of sides in the state.

Both a men’s and women’s side have competed in the league for a large number of years, with both teams experiencing a level of competitiveness throughout this time. With many sides unable to do this in one side let alone both, this is a commendable effort.

Their men’s side was able to deliver a number of years that saw the team competitive for an extended period. They finished runners-up in 2003, and despite this strong form, they were never able to convert this into a championship. This is a box they will be looking to tick as they head into the new NBL1 East league. The side has also produced talents such as future NBA player Josh Green, in recent years, so there is plenty to like about the personnel in the area.

Their women’s side has walked a similar path, having delivered some impressive seasons in the past that have not resulted in a title. They came closest during a two year span in 1997 and 1998, where they finished runners-up in the Women’s Premier League tournament.

They have shown the ability in the past to produce strong seasons, but have lost the spark that carried them to a number of second place finishes. If they can recapture the magic that found them at this level, then the Hornets will certainly be a team to watch in 2022.

Photo: Hills Hornets Facebook