By David Nagel
Pakenham Warriors captain Jake Spruhan played his 300th game in May in a grand basketball career that has spanned half of his 32 years on the planet.
MAY, 2022
Pakenham Warriors captain Jake Spruhan played his 300th game on Sunday in a grand basketball career that has spanned half of his 32 years on the planet.
Spruhan was a spritely 16-year-old – with an impressive junior record – when Sherbrooke coach Frank Woodhouse selected him to train with the Suns’ division-one senior squad.
It enhanced a passion and love for the sport of basketball that still burns strong today.
“We lived in Belgrave and dad (Mick) played on Wednesday nights at the Upwey High School, that’s how I initially gravitated to the sport,” Spruhan recalled, ahead of Sunday’s milestone match.
“I was just shooting around – watching dad and his mates – and getting better each week, and played my first rep game at the age of eight.
“Dad coached me for a while, and then other coaches also saw some talent in me which led to Frank Woodhouse selecting me in the men’s side.
“I played as a rookie with some amazing players and fell in love with the competitiveness of the sport.
“It was also nice to be recognised as someone who might be able to take their game further.”
Spruhan played all his juniors at Sherbrooke, including the elite Vic Championships level, and had great success in the early stages of his career.
A division-one title with the Suns in 2006 was quickly followed by a Youth League championship in 2008.
It was then off to Warrnambool for University studies, and a stint with the local Seahawks.
“That was an awesome experience, they (Warrnambool) were a fantastic club to play for and its only distance that stopped me playing there in the end…and amazing club and so supportive,” the now Pakenham resident said.
“We made the grand final, riding the coat-tails of (current Brisbane Bullet) Nathan Sobey, who got called back to college when we were playing the grand final…which we lost without him.”
Spruhan, who currently teaches VCE Biology and STEM at Officer Secondary College, then returned to Sherbrooke for two years before playing for the Blackburn Vikings.
Under Paul Langford he took his game to another level and played in the Championship division at the club.
But serious injuries, such as broken ribs and ankle and knee ailments, saw him struggle with his body and make the difficult decision to give the game away.
That’s when Pakenham came calling, with Spruhan joining his good friends Josh Dow and Elias Kafrouni on the Warriors playing roster.
“I decided I was too young to retire, the body was okay, and I don’t regret the decision to join the Warriors whatsoever,” Spruhan explained.
“But after Covid, I was out of shape and getting older and decided to retire again.”
Spruhan was talked out of his decision by current Warriors coach Rob Roberts.
Ahead of this season he was also diagnosed with Celiac disease…an immune reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye.
“Once I got diagnosed and got my diet right, my body has come good,” Spruhan said, before describing himself as a player.
“I was heavily focussed on scoring when I was younger, but I’m a utility now who can play point-guard if needed or guard the big guys.
“I’m probably Mr Fix It at the Warriors.
“Put me anywhere on the court and I’ll do a job for you and I pride myself on my defensive efforts and defensive energy.”
The Warriors currently sit second on the ladder, ironically behind Sherbrooke, and the skipper believes his team has all the right ingredients to go all the way this season.
From Canadian-import Joe Davis, right through to 14-year-old sensation Jake Meagher, the Warriors are a very tight unit.
“Teams we’ve had before have been strong, and really talented, but what sets this team apart is the mateship on and off the court,” Spruhan said.
“Rob has done a great job of getting guys like Joe to come into the club and play a significant role in building a culture.
“Although he (Davis) has a big role on the court, he has an even bigger role off it.
“If a team is talented, but has no culture, it’s not going to win, and this year the culture is fantastic.
“Everyone wants to be there; everyone wants to get better.
“Young guys like Jake (Meagher), we can help him get better, and Youth League players like Dylan (Jenkinson), MJ (Michael Johns), Josh Norton and Jack (Jackson Grey) are all coming through and want to play for the men’s team.
“We’re strong, we’re connected, and I’ll be disappointed if we’re not in the grand final series this year, and disappointed if we’re not winning it.”
Spruhan said his time in Pakenham has been enjoyable, combining his school-teaching role with his basketball leadership as well.
“It’s a bit surreal to be honest,” he said.
“Teaching around Pakenham for a few years, and having an influence on their lives is fantastic.
“Basketball is not just a sport, it’s a social life, teaches life skills, so to teach them outside of the classroom as well is amazing.
“I taught Jake (Meagher) in grade six and now we’re teammates on the basketball court.
“He’s going places, to higher levels, and it’s an honour to be part of his development.
“The whole club is heading in the right direction.
“We’re doing the right things.
“We’ve got a great community, great coaches and great people…that’s a winning recipe as far as I’m concerned.”
Spruhan was excited by the prospect of playing 300 games, but his longevity had provided him with much more than a magical milestone.
“A lot of people have been congratulating me, but it’s just a number to me really,” he said.
“I’m proud to have played basketball for so long, but I don’t see the number of games as being the important thing.
“It’s the guys I’ve played with, the coaches that have coached me, it’s the friends I’ve got from my junior days that I still have today…those are the things that are really important to me.
“When I sit back and reflect, some of the best times in my life have been with guys from the basketball court.
“I’m lucky that I’ve stayed healthy enough to do it, but it’s about the journey, not the destination.”
Spruhan and his wife Olivia are currently building a house in Drouin, with distance, and plans to start a family, likely to bring his playing days to an end in the near future.
“I’ve told her this season is it, but the body is feeling good so we’ll have a bit of a chat about that when tryouts come around,” he said with a chuckle.
Spruhan said, upon reflection, that he has been incredibly lucky to have some great people around him throughout this career.
“My family has been incredibly supportive, dad especially, he was the one who got me into basketball and saw that I had some ability,” he said.
“He still thinks I am the best player he has ever seen.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without him, he doesn’t hear that enough, but in his heart, he knows he has been the biggest influence on my career.
“And anyone who has been involved in teams that I’ve played in over the years.
“I’ve played with so many guys that have rekindled my love for basketball.
“I’ve nearly given it away a few times but then someone comes along that makes me love it again.
“And I have to mention Luke Shelley, a good friend of mine who I had my highest scoring game of 50 points on.
“He still denies that he defended me that day but I’ve got the box score to prove it.
“And I’ve had so many good coaches throughout my career that I’d like to acknowledge as well.
“Frank Woodhouse, my first Big V coach.
“Jason Manton, who wasn’t just a coach to me, he was a mentor, he was a friend, he helped me with so many other things other than basketball, life skills, and built my confidence up.
“Tim Gainey at Warrnambool, he was a wonderful coach. The Sobey family, who basically ran the club down there, Bobby Cunningham was a massive influence down there as well.
“Paul Langford, at Blackburn, who stuck with me and saw what I brought to the team, he saw the intangibles and really helped me get back to my best.
“He challenged me the most throughout my career and helped me get where I am today.
“Brad Bridgewater, for initially getting me to Pakenham and for dealing so well with Covid and what he did for the team through those times.
“And to Rob Roberts for convincing me I was too young to retire…he’s another person who believed in me as well.
“I could name a thousand guys, and I’ve probably missed many, but they’re the ones that spring immediately to mind.”
