Taipans weigh options
Fearne unsure of combo for pre-season
THE Cairns Taipans new campaign officially starts tomorrow. Well, it sort of does.
The Snakes’ pre-season series kicks off against Eastern Washington Eagles at The Fish Tank from 4pm.
It is not known what combination of players will be out there competing in orange but it is guaranteed a basketball game will take place.
The Eagles are at the back end of a massive Australian tour, which included games against Sydney Kings, Diamond Valley Eagles, Victorian All-Stars, Dandenong Rangers, Frankston Blues, Waverley Falcons and now the Taipans.
The Eagles, who have a large Australian contingent in their program, held a scrimmage against the Taipans squad last night.
Taipans coach Aaron Fearne is pleased with his players intensity in recent weeks but is unsure who suits up tomorrow.
Nate Jawai and Jarrad Weeks are no chance to play while development players Ash Constable and Tevin Jack- son are expected to feature.
Dual Cairns Marlins and Taipans Alex Loughton, Anthony Fisher and Damon Heuir are a chance to play if they can win, or lose, the QBL title inside two games.
Skipper Cam Gliddon, Stephen Weigh, Mark Worthington are ready to go while Mitch McCarron will play his first game for the club.
Fearne is hopeful imports Fuquan Edwin and Travis Trice will be cleared to play while Taipans Academy members Jakobe Hunter, Joel Matysek and Kody Stattman are expected to be a part of the squad tomorrow.
“Pre-season is pre-season but we will have the mentality of going out there playing well and playing to win,” Fearne said.
“We will try a few new combinations and have different guys play but we are here to win.
“I have been pleased with the effort, competitive spirit so far in pre-season, I have an expectation they will bring that on Sunday.”
Development players Constable and Jackson are soon to be joined in Cairns by Jack Madgen.
Madgen, a development player for the 2016-17 season, is the brother of former Sydney Kings shooting guard Ben and current Opal Tess.
Madgen, originally from Williamstown and an Eastern Mavericks junior, is playing in the SEABL this year with reigning dual champion Mount Gambier Pioneers.
As a senior at Delta State University in the 2015-16 sea- son, shooting guard Madgen, 23 and 194cm, started in all 30 games, averaging 9.9 points at 36 per cent.