BASKETBALL: The cancellation of the NBL1 North season has been a tough one to stomach for the Toowoomba Mountaineers.

Joe Johnson was one of a number of players primed for a breakout season at the top level.

A strong season in the Toowoomba Basketball League saw him average 29.5 points per game, including 48 in the opening round.

There was a chance that this could be the (breakout) season, Johnson said.

Its disappointing but understandable why they made the decision. Its tough when you put in all that preparation and work to find out its not going to happen.

With that being said its not going to stop me from being ready and working hard for next season.

I was feeling pretty good about myself, and I still do. As for my form, I just tried to stay aggressive and have confidence in my abilities to do what I do best and what Im good at.

I struggled a bit last year with my brother passing away.

It really motivated me to work my butt off everyday in the gym.

It started to show in the TBL season, and hopefully coming to the end of lockdown that can motivate me even more.

It was this family tragedy that hurt Johnson, who looks to his brother as an inspiration in more ways than just on the court.

He really believed in me. He was one of the few people that really did, he said.

I had a lot of people that shrugged me off growing up and said that I wasnt going to amount to much as a player.

I didnt start out the greatest and wasnt one of those kids that you looked and thought would be talented.

He pushed me every day and is looking over my shoulder.

I still look after his kids and they also motivate me. I learn from them and they learn from me, and I just want to be a role model for them.

While the training regimes of all athletes have been severely hampered with government restrictions in place, Johnson said he is making the most of the situation to try and stay in game shape.

Ive been doing lots of body weight work, he said.

People forget that push-ups and sit-ups are some of the best things they can do.

I got myself a weighted vest and have been doing plenty of things around the house that Ive been able to use for altering exercises.

Ive used a chair for dips and box jumps, just standard exercises that anyone can do.

Ive had to get a bit creative with a couple of things, but Ive also brought a boxing bag which is always great for fitness.

It was a bit hard to get a hold off, I had to wait until it appeared at Kmart and took the opportunity when it came up.

Im lucky enough to live near a hoop which Ive recently discovered.

Its outdoors so Ive been able to social distance, and get in as much work as possible.

Its been a godsend.

Johnson said that Mountaineers players would share their home workouts to get them into the community.

Weve all been doing our home workouts, he said.

It can show the community what were working on and can help kids learn that are inside.

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JJ maintains his motivation in testing times - Chronicle