WARRNAMBOOL Seahawks will enter their second Country Basketball League (CBL) south-west conference season with development the main focus.
The Seahawks open their account against Corio Bay Stingrays next Saturday, October 13, at St Joseph’s Primary School.
CBL team manager Shane Dean said the 10-person roster consisted of teenagers with the potential to progress to the Seahawks’ Big V division one program.
All squad members except for Sam Brooks, Adam Lawson and Matthew Hynes played minutes for the club’s Big V team in 2012.
“From what we’ve seen in training, the slightly older players in Lewis Steere, Leigh Saffin and Jacob Sobey will be required to provide strong leadership, with point guards Josh Dean and Damian Gray expected to step up in support,” Dean said.
The Seahawks, with Barry Brooks as coach, will come up against sides of varying experience.
Some associations use the CBL as their main basketball program, while others use it to tune up for the Big V winter competition.
“From a purely skill point of view, we’ll be very competitive,” Dean said.
“The area which will test us the most is physicality, as we’ll be playing mostly men’s teams.”
Dean said the Seahawks’ guard and small forward spots were a strength, but they lacked a strong centre. He said speed and agility would be their main assets.
“All players were chosen based on their performances at squad level over the last few seasons and their potential to play at a Seahawks’ level, or beyond, in the next year or two,” he said.
“All are aged between 17 and 19. We will, however, keep a spot for a new player to town who offers something not currently in the squad.”
Hamilton Hurricanes and Portland Coasters also represent the south-west in the CBL competition, while Terang Tornadoes have not entered a team this season.
The eight-team competition, which also includes Horsham Hornets, Colac Kookas, Mount Gambier Lakers and new team Stawell Wildcats, consists of 14 home-and-away matches and conference and state finals.
The state finals are on February 16 and 17.
justine.mc@standard.fairfax.com.au