NBL EXPERIENCE

Ted Holcomb made his NBL debut with the Illawarra Hawks on 3/3/1979. He scored 18 points in his first game.

When the NBL was launched in 1979, Illawarra entered the competition with a roster primarily made up of players local to Wollongong and American born players Ted Holcomb (16.1 ppg) and Jim Slacke (23.8 ppg), who led the Hawks in scoring.

Would produce his career high this season, a 32 point effort in a win over the Melbourne Tigers.

The team also featured talented point guard Gordie McLeod (10.1 ppg) and Bob Kubbinga (8.1 ppg), who was appointed as the Hawk’s first team captain. Illawarra managed 5 wins, 13 losses during the inaugural season of the NBL, finishing eighth out of ten team’s.

To crown the first champions of the national league, the first and second team’s would play off in a single game Grand Final clash. This saw St Kilda (1st) defeating Canberra (2nd), 94–93, to become the league’s first champions.

1980
In 1980, Adrian Hurley took over from Joe Farrugia as head coach of the Hawks and Gordie McLeod (13.0 ppg), who also played with the Boomers at the Moscow Olympics this year, would take over from Bob Kubbinga (4.7 ppg) as team captain. Holcomb (11.5 ppg) played a key role in the Hawks rotation, as Illawarra recorded their first winning season, finishing in sixth place with a 13-9 record. US born star Jim Slacke (22.6 ppg) would lead the team in scoring for the second year in a row, as well as record the league’s highest free-throw shooting percentage (68/78).

1982
In 1982, Illawarra returned with much of their roster intact, missing only import Benny Lewis and Alan Yates. The Hawks added import Alonzo Weatherly to replace Lewis and were able to retain last season’s MVP, Michael Jones.

The Hawks faced a season of inconsistency. They performed strongly at home, posting an 8-5 record at Beaton Park Stadium, showcasing their ability to defend their home court effectively. Their season opener was a highlight, securing a victory over Launceston Casino City (98-91). However, road games proved to be a stumbling block, as they managed only three wins from thirteen matches away. The lack of consistency on the road, combined with narrow defeats such as the loss to Adelaide City (87-88), highlighted their struggles to close out tight contests.

The Hawks were led by team captain Gordie McLeod (10.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists) on the court, while U.S. talent Michael Jones (23.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists), Alonzo Weatherly (23.7 points and 9.2 rebounds) and Jim Slacke (16.8 points and 5.0 rebounds) provided the offensive firepower.

Throughout the season, the Hawks experienced both promising moments and challenging stretches. They had notable home victories, demonstrating their potential as a competitive team, but also faced tough losses, including a defeat to Brisbane (99-105). These mixed results were emblematic of the team’s difficulties in maintaining momentum, especially when playing away from home.

Ultimately, the Hawks concluded the season in ninth place with an 11-15 record.

Michael Roodenrys (1.7 points and 0.3 rebounds) appeared in 22 games this season. While his role was limited, Roodenrys’ presence in the squad provided essential support and depth for the Hawks during a transitional season.

After missing the 1981 season, Ted Holcomb (6.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.4 assists) appeared in all 26 games this season. Though not one of the primary scoring options, Holcomb’s contributions added valuable depth and support for the Hawks throughout their challenging campaign.

Ted Holcomb played three seasons the Illawarra Hawks. He averaged 10 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.1 assists in 57 NBL games.

Dan Boyce (827 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.