South / East Conference Preview
For Immediate Release (22nd February, 2000)
99 Champions Favourite To Repeat Despite Conference Switch
The 2000 South/East Conference Mens season gets underway this weekend in what should be another frenetic start to a season of fast paced basketball action. This year a number of teams have switched Conferences, giving this years race for Conference Supremacy a new feel. Both Conference Champions from last year have switched, and both will be out to secure history, a conference title in both the East and the South. The season kicks off in Albury/Wodonga on Friday night (25th Feb), and the Womens competition starts on March 17 at Broadmeadows.
As has become tradition, the coaches put their reputations on the line in a pre-season poll. They have ranked their conference’s teams in the order they expect them to finish at the conclusion of the regular season. It will be interesting in July to see how much they really do know !! Will the poll stir up the hornets nest for those deemed to be easy beats? Will the favourites become complacent and get burnt? Lets wait and see..
South Men
The big improvers are tipped to be Mildura who had a big re-structure in the off season, only five players remain from last years team. The Mavericks have however picked up Billy Ross (Albury/Wodonga), Mark Banovic (N W Tas.) and Michael Kingma (Sydney Kings). All other South Conference teams tipped to compete in post season action have retained a nucleus of players from last years teams. Reigning East Champs Kilsyth have lost captain Darryl Bayliss but added Kaam Sahely (Nunawading).
East Men
Three teams that missed out on Play-off action last year (Broadmeadows, Penrith, & Bankstown) have all been selected as possible top six participants this year. Penrith have had a busy off season, signing Bruce Bolden as coach and picking up a good mix of experience and local juniors. Despite their brilliant National Semi Final finish last year AIS have been tipped to finish out of the finals race, largely due to the fact that only four members remain from last years team. 1999 National Champions have been tipped to take out the East Conference title this year despite losing Witkowski (retirement) and Jordan.
South/East Women
A Heavy recruiting drive by the Launceston Tornadoes have seen them take title favoritism for 2000. The additions of Alison O’Dwyer (AIS) and Gina Farmer (Hobart) give the Tornadoes extra rebounding strength, an area they faltered in 1999. Last years Conference Champions Bendigo are tipped to just sneak in the top six despite losing Emily Mc Inerney. They have coaxed Nina Shelton (nee Cass) out of retirement to fill the void. Even though Kilsyth have lost key players Hoey, Datson, and Hough they have along with neighbouring rivals Knox been tipped to again make the post season.
The complete coaches poll is as follows:
SOUTH
CONFERENCE MEN
EAST
CONFERENCE MEN
SOUTH/EAST CONFERENCE WOMEN
1 KILSYTH 1 GEELONG 1 LAUNCESTON 2 HOBART 2 FRANKSTON 2 NUNAWADING 3 MILDURA 3 MT GAMBIER 3 KILSYTH 4 BENDIGO 4 BROADMEADOWS 4 KNOX 5 NUNAWADING 5 PENRITH 5 FRANKSTON 6 BALLARAT 6 BANKSTOWN 6 BENDIGO 7 KNOX 7 CANBERRA 7 SYDNEY 8 N W TASMANIA 8 A I S 8 BROADMEADOWS 9 N E MELBOURNE 9 ALBURY/WODONGA 9 DANDENONG 10 LAUNCESTON 10 DANDENONG 10 ILLAWARRA 11 HOBART