Basketball
10 December, 2024
Lovel joins illustrious club
On Saturday, when he runs out to play against Mount Gambier in the Country Basketball League South West Division grand final, Matthew Lovel will join Tim Wade, Cam Bruce and Tim Pickert as 200-game players for the Horsham Hornets.
Lovel started playing basketball at a young age and debuted for the Hornets in 2009. That year, they were runners-up to Melbourne Uni in the grand final.
He has played in two winning grand finals, 2018 against Bendigo and 2022 against Portland and is eager to finish his career with his third.
Lovel is currently the director of coaching for the Horsham Basketball Association and has coached the under-18s for the last five years. He has also run coaching clinics through the Hornets and was a CBL delegate at one stage.
He is an assistant coach to Scott Benbow and said he would prepare this week like any other game.
"This is just any other game," Lovel said.
"I will train and prepare like I do, and it's the same thing over and over.
"It's great to reach 200 and to be with that one club my whole life since I was young.
"We have unfinished business this year. Our young kids have come along well this year, and I am comfortable with where they are currently.
"We are deep, and we can change things out if needed.
"My first premiership was great, and my second one against Portland was pretty good, and that is what you play for.
"If we can finish it off with a win, it would be great to cap it off like that, and I would like to continue with the coaching in some shape or form."
It is extra special for Matthew as he will play with his brother, Jono, who came out of retirement to play this season.
"It's amazing. I couldn't ask for a better ending, and it is amazing to play that 200 with him and the guys I have played with for the last 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10 years."
Jono Lovel said that it's going to be a special moment.
"It's good for him more than anything," Jono said.
"Hopefully, he can win his grand final, and we celebrate pretty well. He has earned it."
Scott Benbow said he deserves what he gets this week.
"We will celebrate Matty during the week, and to go into a championship with that milestone is very special, is well deserved, and hopefully, we can get a win for him," Benbow said.
"He has done magnificent things for Horsham Basketball. He's our coaching director and my assistant coach for four years. We are great mates, and he is a great human being who deserves all the accolades."
Lovel is Fred Frew's mum's cousin, and Frew said that Lovel got him into basketball.
"He brought me into basketball, and I wouldn't be playing without him," Frew said.
"He means a lot to the group. He is wise, has an elite jump shop, and is very good for the group with the experience and guidance he can bring."
Hornets captain Mitch Martin said Lovel is a massive part of the team.
"He does a lot for the association that people don't see or notice," Martin said.
"The amount of work he puts in is unbelievable. He coaches, plays, mentors, does a bit of everything, and is a person kids look up to.
"We also look up to him. He is a down-to-earth guy who brings sound wisdom.
"Hopefully, we can do it for him and prepare and take on the best. I don't think you can tick much more off than winning a championship in your milestone game."