Basketball

Welcome to Basketball Excellence

Hillcrest’s Basketball Excellence Program is one of Queensland’s premier high-performance basketball pathways, providing students with elite training, competitive opportunities at state and national levels, and mentorship from top-tier coaches.

Over the years, many Hillcrest students have successfully transitioned into College USA basketball programs, leveraging the skills and experience gained through the program.

With a strong emphasis on team culture, resilience, and structured player development, BEP supports athletes from Junior to Senior levels, preparing them for success both on and off the court.

Basketball Excellence Program

Students serious about basketball development and competition have the opportunity for year-round training, elite coaching, and state/national tournaments.

Program Structure:

Junior Learning Community (Prep – Year 4): After-school skills programs.
Heat - Club Basketball affiliation
Freshman Squad (Under 15s): Introduction to advanced gameplay strategies and skills development.
Emerging & Open Squads (Senior Level): For the most talented basketballers, competing in state and national tournaments.

Tournaments & Competitions:

Champion Basketball School of Queensland (CBSQ) – Pathway to Nationals.
Australian Schools Championships (ASC) – Elite national-level competition.
Gold Coast Invitational (GCI) – Queensland’s largest school basketball tournament.

Hillcrest Christian College proudly supports Heat Basketball Club, a local club program that trains and operates from Hillcrest’s facilities. This gives students the opportunity to join a club team while having the convenience of training onsite at Hillcrest.

Gold Coast Invitational (GCI)

Gold Coast Invitational - Queensland’s Premier School Basketball Tournament

Hillcrest Christian College proudly hosts the Gold Coast Invitational (GCI), the largest school basketball tournament on the Gold Coast. Open to local, interstate, and international teams, this event provides an elite-level competition experience.

Key Facts:

Dates: Held in July each year
Divisions:
- Open (Under 19)
- Under 16 - (15 Years and Under)
Venue: Coomera Indoor Sports Centre
Game Format: 8-minute fully timed quarters with a 24-second shot clock (FIBA regulations).
Team Opportunities: Minimum of six games per team
Eligibility: Open to Hillcrest students and external school teams

Club Basketball – Heat Basketball Club

Who it’s for: Students wanting to play Gold Coast Club Basketball.
Opportunities: Club teams in Under 10s to Under 18s, for both boys and girls.
Location: All training sessions held at Hillcrest Christian College.
Competitions: Teams compete in the Gold Coast Basketball junior competition.