CAMERON Mitchell feels the Warrnambool Seahawks have some unfinished business, with the US import returning to the south-west to help the side go one better this season.
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The Seahawks will be bolstered by the return of Mitchell, who was the Big V division one men’s MVP last season and the centre in the competition’s All-Star five.
Warrnambool’s 2-1 loss to Geelong in last year’s best-of-three grand final series has lingered with the American.
“I’ve been thinking about it since we lost,” he said.
“It was a tough loss for all of us and all we want to do is get back to the grand final and try and win.”
Improving on the Seahawks’ runner-up status was not the only reason Mitchell wanted to return, with the professional basketballer forming strong friendships in his debut season.
“I enjoyed the camaraderie that our team had,” he said of 2011.
“Last season we didn’t start off too well but we fought back and made it all the way to the grand final.
“Even though we didn’t win, it was a real accomplishment.
“I definitely kept Warrnambool in the back of my mind (in the Big V off-season) and I was hoping I would get to come back.”
After Warrnambool’s 2011 season finished, Mitchell went home to Portland, Oregon for a few weeks before travelling to Chile, where he played with Sagrados Corazones Basketball Club in Vina del Mar.
“It was a really good competition and I think it really helped me step my game up,” the 205-centimetre centre said.
“I was playing against bigger competition and I think a lot of the work I did there will help me this season.
“We didn’t make the grand final but it was still a successful season.”
After his three-month stint with Sagrados Corazones, he returned to the US, enjoying six weeks with friends and family at home in Portland before arriving in Australia this month.
“I’m itching to get back (playing),” he said.
Warrnambool is training each Tuesday and Thursday, while Mitchell is also completing strength and conditioning sessions.
As well as playing in Chile and Australia, he has gained experience from previous overseas stints in Mexico and Ireland.
The Seahawks will open their 2012 Big V season on March 17 with an away match against Melbourne University.
