By JARROD POTTER
A BIG V championship was just reward for Keysborough BIG V star Malcolm Heard, who made the agonising decision to head overseas to continue his basketball dreams.
Heard, 23, from Wilmington, Ohio, USA, made the difficult choice to head to Australia for his first BIG V season, but played an absolute starring role in Keysborough Cougars Division 2 men’s championship victory.
He finished up his college commitments with last season and decided to tour overseas see if there was a professional spot on the horizon, with his choice to become a Cougar the best, yet toughest, move he ever made.
“I came over to Australia on a tour from the states – tried out here and made a tour team that was coming to Australia to play against teams here for job opportunities,” Heard said.
“This was my first year out of college so I thought it would be an amazing opportunity and great experience.
“My year in Australia was probably one of the best and also toughest years of my life.”
Heard had to leave behind his family – with two young daughters – but immediately felt at home with his new on-court family at Keysborough and the celebration of a championship win made his decision all the more sweeter.
“Being away from family and especially my two children was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I stayed with it and it resulted in not only a great experience but developed a unique bond with a great group of people,” Heard said.
“Not only that but winning a championship my first year overseas definitely makes it even better.”
Keysborough had an up-and-down home-and-away season and endured a semi-final loss to Western Port, but fought its way through to the championship match.
It was one for the ages as the BIG V Division 2 championship needed all three games in the series to decide the winner.
The resounding 66-53 victory on the away court was led by Heard’s efforts at both ends of the court as he rattled off 20 points, 17 rebounds to finish the grand final series with 77 points and 44 rebounds in a scintillating display of on-court leadership.
“The feeling I had after winning the championship is indescribable – I had a lot of emotions running through my head because of everything that has occurred in my past,” Heard said.
“Being away from home it made me feel like it was worth it in the end and also a sense of accomplishment in the start of my career.
“Not only that but it felt great to win it with the group of guys I did it with, a lot of guys who were desperate for a championship after being there so many times and not winning it.”
It could have unravelled quickly after the 80-81 second grand final defeat levelled the series 1-1, but Heard put the third match fight back down to defensive grit as he ensured the Steelers’ American star Manny Hendrix didn’t have a free run at the basket.
“Fighting back to win the championship has to be credited to our preparation – we were extremely prepared mentally and physically,” Heard said.
“The thing that stands out to me the most would be our mentality on defence … I’m the type of guy who always wants to guard the best player because if he doesn’t have a good game it results in a win for my team.”
Heard is one of the nominees for BIG V D2M Most Valuable Player, which would cap off a sensational debut senior season for the powerhouse forward and if everything works for him and his family, he’d be thrilled to Australia once again.
“Yes I can definitely see myself back in Australia, I love the country along with all of the people there. It truly is an amazing place,” Heard said.
“Regardless of what happens or where I end up, I intend to work my ass off and establish a name for myself, but Australia will always have a special place in my heart.”
He wanted to thank the club, coach Nathan Vogt, the Sliwinski family, and everyone involved for making him feel welcome in his inaugural BIG V season and “they are and always will be family.”
Keysborough has set up a GoFundMe page to help bring Heard back for the 2016 season.
If anyone is interested in donating, they can do so at http://www.gofundme.com/523rkn6s.
