Sixers on SA stage
By BOTI NAGY
03mar06
LOOK out! The Bearcats are back in BankSA League business with local basketball's tip-off on Saturday.
Nine of the 13 Adelaide 36ers will hit the suburban hardwood and half the Lightning side also will be in action, along with three members of Canberra's WNBL championship winner Tracey Beatty (Southern), Nerrida Cooper (Southern) and Angela Marino (Sturt).
West took out both the men's and women's sections of the pre-season Blitz while Metro League men's champion Norwood has added David Cooper.
WOODVILLE
Kevin Brooks returns with his championship-winning team close to intact, import Matt Elder gone but 200cm Luke Hoban crossing from the Tigers.
The great teamwork and selflessness of his outfit made them not only successful last year but also fun to watch.
Ninth last year, the Warriors women look in great shape to repeat that feat.
FORESTVILLE
The most consistent force of the past decade, Forestville has recruited Scott Arnold but will not be able to suit players such as Neil Mottram or Brad Newley this season. Coach Andrew Simons will ensure they are still around the mark but the title may be out of reach.
Not so for Sharon Simons' women's champ which has lost Cherie Smith to West but recruited Rebecca Duke who last week won the Staunton Medal at the Australian Under-20 championship.
STURT
The last time Sturt had a playing coach was in 1986 when Dean Kinsman led it to the championship, a feat rookie Sabres coach Paul Bauer will be battling to emulate, especially if Oscar Forman skips the season.
Adam Benson has left the third placegetter for Eastern, Darren Ng again the main scoring option.
Third last year, Sturt's women again will rely heavily on the Bowley sisters and could be due for a slip in the rankings.
EASTERN
From champs in 2004 to fourth last year, the drop without Jacob Holmes was not as substantial as first feared and with Brad Hill there alongside Ben Madgen, Brad Davis, Brad Bungey and Ben Trebilcock, these guys will challenge again.
The Mavericks' women broke through for their first taste of finals action but with the improvements made by West and Southern, their lack of off-season activity makes them look vulnerable.
WEST ADELAIDE
Dion Grieger is in the chair and West is feeling good about itself with youngsters such as Chris Molitor and Mark Ali - check out those familiar surnames - coming into the mix.
There's a few decent vets back too, though no names ring a bell.
West's women will give the title a shake with the Lightning's Sam Woosnam and Cherie Smith big recruits to go with a backcourt of Erin Seward, Lesley Grieger, Kamala Lamshed and Irene Sourlatzis.
Perennial No. 2 John Gillies finally steps up to the coaching plate and he won't lose any hair with this group.
SOUTH ADELAIDE
Missing the playoffs on points spread last year, the Panthers are hoping a further year of seasoning has turned Kelly Manning's outfit in to a contender.
There's plenty of firepower, size and youth so don't be surprised if South does take the next step.
Glenn Shaw may have a tougher time keeping South's women near the summit after a second-place regular season finish turned into a fourth-place disappointment. After the backcourt of Vikki Kelson and Kylie Evans, the Panthers will look to their Canadian imports to make a difference.
NORTH ADELAIDE
Take Mike McKay and Nathan Hawkes from a Rockets group which finished seventh and it doesn't look promising.
But actually, the continued development of youngsters such as Michael Zorich, Nick Hambour, Bronson Kies and Erik Burdon suggest a very solid future here.
Dropping Erin Phillips from its women's team won't help North.
But with Erin Lorenzini into the line-up and most of the championship crew of 2004 still around, this team knows how to win and will do it often.
CENTRAL DISTRICT
Scott Whitmore joins Ricky Simpson in the coaching chair and Central is ready to build on 2005 and head into the playoffs.
Losses last weekend in Mildura to its SEABL outfit by six and eight points suggests the Lions are finally clearing their throats and preparing to roar.
Adding Jae Conn, Louise McLean and Alex Money won't necessarily mean money for Central. But at last they'll be competitive and able to win.
SOUTHERN
Bill Hopkins has 200cm former NBL journeyman Matt Alexander to power up the middle and guard Joel Goodenough from Eastern to excite a Tigers team sure to rise from the league's depths.
The women's team cleaned out South, with Terry-Jo McNamara, Colleen Kaesler, Rebekah Redden and Olivia Warnes crossing over to join Beatty and Cooper in a finals-bound team.
NORWOOD
Winning the Metro League again has to bolster Rupert Sapwell's second drive at a BankSA League crown after last year's demise and securing Cooper is a big coup too.
The playoffs beckon.
With Melissa Marsh returning to Perth and en route to England, the Flames will need their younger players to take a big leap forward or it will be a long cold winter.
