HAMILTON’S Josh Miller has made an immediate impression in his debut Big V season with the Warrnambool Seahawks, winning the team’s Rising Star Award.

The 18-year-old played every game and said he was not expecting to receive the award.

“It means a lot, I am very honoured and humbled,” he said.

“I am just trying to show all the Hamilton kids there is a pathway after squad and it doesn’t just end there.

“I didn’t really know what to expect going into the season, I just wanted to give my best and learn as much as I can and improve as I go.”

The 18-round season concluded at the end of July with the Seahawks missing finals, which were played, culminating in the decider on August 17, won by Gippsland United.

The gruelling season included plenty of travel and tested Miller’s fitness, with games played at a higher intensity.

“I definitely tried to stretch as much as I could, I did have a few ice baths on a Sunday as well,” he said.

“I definitely would have liked to win a few more games, we did have a lot of injuries though, especially early in the season.”

Miller played predominantly as a point guard and shooting guard, matching him up on the opposition’s best player.

“Definitely learnt a lot from my teammates,” he said.

“Going into each game Smithy would tell me what role he wanted me to play, whether it was to shut down their best player, or get out and run.

“I played point guard mostly, was back-up point guard a lot but some games I’d start, and also played shooting guard sometimes, when I had to get out and run the floor.

“It is definitely hard playing hard defence and the having to run down and play offence, so I definitely took another step this season with my defence.

“At the start of the season I feel like I definitely sat in the background, but as I got more comfortable and felt like I was playing better, I took more of a leadership role I suppose.”

Miller was also rewarded with good minutes and said he was looking forward to hopefully pulling on the Seahawks jersey again in 2025.

“Hoping to play Big V again next season, I might look at other options as well,” he said.

“I will also be playing CBL (for Hamilton) again, I am pretty keen for it.”

Miller finished the season with 116 points.