Playing at Ringwood for 24 years after starting in the under-10s as a six-year-old, Snowball’s love affair with the sport has seen him achieve goals that most would have thought unachievable.
Clearly under-sized for a basketball player, standing at just 182cm, not overly quick and possessing a vertical leap that meant dunking was never an option, Snowball’s rise in basketball started when he was selected in the Victorian under-16 team as a bottom-age player.
Playing against older players, he was able to use his strength and toughness to lead his team to the national championship crown.
Snowball doesn’t see it as toughness, but more a case of competitiveness and a will to win.
“I was raised to play through injuries,” he said.
“I am extremely competitive and it drives me to push harder when the odds are against us.”
In 1999, “Snowy” was named captain of the state team and led the Vics to another national title while being named the tournament’s most valuable player.
Hawks state championship men’s coach Ken Harrington saw enough from the 15-year-old upstart to add him to the Ringwood senior team.
Snowball, however, was not used to sitting on the bench and, after 11 games, decided to sit out the rest of the year.
“We had a team that won the state title the year before and playing time was never going to be the main goal for young Snowy that year, it was a development year,” Harrington said.
“But, he was just too competitive. He, simply, could not sit, watch and learn.
“It was disappointing at the time but we knew he would soon be back to make his mark.”
Matt Snowball at the foul line
Snowball’s highest scoring game was against the Latrobe City Pacers when he dropped 34 points, including nine-from-17 from three-point territory.
But, this is not his most memorable moment.
That is reserved for a shot he made in the under-20 state championships one year.
“Ringwood had never won a junior national title and I was lucky enough to hit the three-pointer that sent the game into overtime,” Snowball recalls.
“Then, we went on to win it.”
And the veteran Hawk has a fiery side as well.
Always one to wear is heart on his sleeve, Snowball, frustrated by an aggressive Waverley Falcons defence in the 2010 grand final series, threw the ball into the crowd late and headed to the change room.
“He has never been the easiest guy to coach, Snowy would be the first to admit that,” Harrington said.
“But not once over the nine seasons I have coached him have I ever doubted his desire to play hard and win.
“Only once in a lifetime do you get to coach a guy like this.”
After winning the state championship men’s crown in 2012, Snowball became the only Hawk to win a junior state title, a Youth League state title and a senior state title.
With the 300-game milestone, Snowball will have his jersey hung in the rafters of Maroondah Stadium alongside the only other Hawk to achieve the mark, his great mate Willie Weimer.
“It’s a season-by-season basis for me now and, honestly, it has been for a few years,” Snowball said.
“I know I can’t walk away while we are competing for championships and while I have some great mates to enjoy it with.”
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