MARLINS READY TO FACE BEST
CAIRNS Marlins are ready to pick and roll against the nation’s best junior teams.
Led by captain Tyson Crees, the team has kept up Cairns Basketball’s near decade-long run of qualifying for the Australian Club Championships.
The Far North boys are in Ballarat ready to open their campaign against North West Tasmania at 2.30pm today.
The Marlins have had two days to adjust to cold weather, travelling from the tops of 28 degrees in the beautiful Far North to the single-digit nights of country Victoria.
“I’m told the courts are heated, so that will help, but I’ve packed the long johns and told the boys to get some thermals,” coach Geoff Benson said.
“(The build-up has) been excellent.
“I’ve got a bunch of kids here.
“It’s so exciting for them. It will be about keeping them calm and ready to play.”
Captain Crees was part of sensational the drought-breaking Peninsula team which won the 15 years schools title for the first time in two decades, but this team has already been a force.
They were ruthless at the state championship in Townsville earlier this year, smashing all comers as they romped to the title.
They beat Southern Districts 62-36 in the gold medal game to stamp their authority.
“I really do hope we play like that,” Benson said.
“The thing with such a big win in a final though is you put a target on yourself, but this is a different competition.
“There’s 24 of the country’s best teams there but I think we can be a top-10 team.”