Dean’s court time and points tally have increased significantly in the opening two games of the 2015 season after rising from reliable bench player to starting point guard.

The teenager is averaging 31 minutes a game, up from 22 in 2014, and his 13 points a match is helping alleviate the burden on prolific scorers Tim Gainey and Alex Starling.

Dean, 20 next month, has stepped up following the off-season departures of guards Damian Gray and Sai’Quon Stone.

He credited Seahawks coach Bobby Cunningham for helping him take the next step in his fledgling career.

“Bob’s given me the green light to shoot a lot more and trust myself and that’s done heaps for my confidence,” Dean said.

“To have freedom’s been good.”

Dean, the shortest on the Seahawks’ roster at 188cm, said he was happy to take on added responsibility.

But he said Warrnambool had a multi-talented roster. 

“Everyone can dribble,” Dean said. 

“Tim and Dion (Smith) can both handle the ball as well.”

Dean said the Seahawks’ height was one of its strengths this season.

“We get heaps of rebounds and that makes it easier and we get heaps of offensive rebounds too, so we get second-chance points,” he said.

Warrnambool meets Shepparton Gators on the road tonight.

Both sides are undefeated and aiming for their third straight win to start the division one season.

“It will be a real physical game and a fast-paced one as well,” Dean said.

Warrnambool is desperate to atone for its second- week finals loss of 2014.

Dean believes the Seahawks have assembled a roster capable of winning the championship.

“Our goal is to go two better — to get to the final and win the final,” he said.

“With the team we have got, there is no reason why we can’t do that.

“It is about building on last season and doing what we do best.”

Dean, a second-year university student who also works as a tennis coach and at the Seanchai pub, said Warrnambool relished the chance to play in front of big crowds.

He is expecting a hostile reception at Shepparton.

“If it’s a big crowd we still thrive on it, even if it’s negative energy,” he said.

Dean said the Seahawks were rapt with the turnout for their first double-header of the season — its under 23 youth team played a curtain-raiser — last weekend at the Arc.

“It was massive. We were really surprised. We didn’t think it’d be that big for our first home game,” he said.

“It really impressed us.”

Meanwhile, Warrnambool has bolstered its under 23 team, adding Seahawks chairman Jacob Sobey and Timboon Taipans coach Mac Thornton for its away match against Western Port tonight.

Sobey, on the comeback trail after a knee injury, and Thornton, a shining light in the Taipans’ bleak Country Basketball League summer campaign, will add experience to the winless side. 

The Seahawks, coming off a heavy loss to Warrandyte, want support for forward Jeremy Bolden, who drained 23 points and had 11 rebounds in round two.