Chargers’ coach keeping option up sleeve for NBL1 season Import luxury for Hobart

HOBART Chargers women’s coach Mark Nash will keep an import slot up his sleeve for potential use later in the NBL1 season after locking away his starting five.

In opting for boom signing Shyla Heal to run the point guard position for the upcoming campaign, Nash has the luxury of holding off looking for a second import unless absolutely required.

Nash has secured Tasmanians Tayla Roberts and Sarah O’Neill to round out his starting unit, with the duo to join Heal, American Kathleen Scheer and sharp shooter Sharna Thompson in what he hopes can be the backbone of a championship-calibre squad.

Roberts returns after playing with the Hobart Huskies last year, while O’Neill has left the Launceston Tornadoes.

The North-West Coast wing had an outstanding rookie NBL1 season in 2019, averaging 14.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 20 appearances, and Nash is confident she can elevate her game to another level with more experience under her belt.

“Sarah had a terrific rookie season with Launceston last year and we are very pleased to have her joining Hobart for 2020,” Nash said. “With Sarah, as part of the recruitment process we mapped out a shortterm plan which is 2020 and also a more medium-term plan.

“For this season, just based on logistics, being based on the North-West Coast she will come down and play on a Wednesday night in Hobart, which is great for our local competition, and then train with us on Thursday night and play the Friday at home or come on the road from down here.”

Roberts, who has been a SEABL and WNBL regular for the past decade, averaged 13.8 points and 6.9 rebounds last year, as well as one block per match in a sub-par campaign by her lofty standards. However Nash believes the 27year-old’s best is still to come.

“Tayla’s upside and potential essentially is still really huge, her numbers statistically are really impressive at this level, but I really think her best is still ahead of her.

“We’ve also had some conversations about her driving desire to return to the WNBL, 2020 in the NBL1 is a stepping stone for her hopefully back to that level. Similar to Sarah, it is not just about a quick fix for both the player and club this year, it is how we can assist with their medium and longterm goals in the same way we are working with Sharna Thompson and Shyla Heal.”

Nash said he would look at an Australian returning from the US college system or a younger import should he feel the need to bolster the squad during the season.