NBL talent not a worry for ‘Neers
BASKETBALL: The Toowoomba Mountaineers are believers that star players don’t always make a great team.
The club is not worried about not having a player from the NBL in its ranks ahead of its QBL opener against Ipswich tomorrow, unlike the rest of its rivals who have brought in talent from Australia’s top competition.
Opting instead to put faith in what coach Anthony Corcoran said is national level talent from the region.
“I think a couple of my guys are NBL calibre, it’s just they have never been for what ever reason or pursued that opportunity,” he said.
“Certainly Mayo (Malek) and Paul (Aleer), a lot of coaches and other players all sort of agree that those guys should play NBL.
“I believe that local talent can match it but you have to remember some of those guys are NBL bench players who do a role.”
Missing out on the finals was a harsh lesson for the Mountaineers last season.
Its 2017 season opener tomorrow against Ipswich gives the club the perfect opportunity to secure early points, take on some familiar faces and claim regional bragging rights.
The Force has recruited former ‘Neer James Legan and Toowoomba basketball product Josh Derksen, two players Corcoran is well aware of.
“James is going to look to get 30 points a game and he averaged just under that last year so we know what he can do,” Corcoran said.
“We have a lot of experience against him.”
Cameron Weber is the team captain this year after receiving the backing of his teammates to lead.
“We had a team vote and Cam is close to 30 so he has had a lot of years playing in the QBL,” Corcoran said.
“He is ready, he knows what is needed having had that experience and he reads the game well.
“He is a good choice and he will be able to do that role and focus.”
The club’s QBL season gets under way tomorrow against Force at the Cotton On Foundation stadium in Ipswich.