Lessons Learned: Ralph
The forward is sure they can right the wrongs of their last bid for glory this time round.
Looking ahead to this weekend, he pinpointed what the differences will be.
"We had a lot of young guys in the last finals who hadn't been there before," he said.
"They've learned from that and their experience will make such a difference now.
"They know what it takes and we've every reason to be confident.
Buccs captain Matt Wunderberg said the camp was in good spirits ahead of the series with Perry Lakes Hawks.
He feels the team goes in much stronger this year, particularly after the arrival of former NBL star Ben Pepper.
"Ben Pepper has been the difference maker. He will be the difference between this year and last year.
"We played a shocker in the last finals up here, and then went down and played well.
"This time we know that every game counts. We know there's no room for mistakes."
Focusing on Hawks in particular, Wunderberg said the team had been working on their defensive plays.
"They have guys likes Crawford who can score a lot and shoot from distance.
"I think that if we get the defensive side of our game right then the offense will take care of itself.
"So that's what we've been looking at most in training, get the defence right."
Wunderberg said the side were disappointed to have slipped out of the top two, as they have a "tradition" for it.
But he said they were happy to have the opportunity to go all the way, and said they saw no reason why they couldn't.
"Everyone is confident. We think we've a chance and we'll go out there and do our best to take it."
The Buccs finished the season in third place after dropping three of their last five games to end the regular season.
Loses to the Perth Redbacks and Willetton Tigers saw them fall from top spot after holding the position from round 12 to 16.
The mid season acquisition of Ben Pepper has added another dimension to the line-up.
The former NBL centre has provided the Buccs with a great low post scorer and excellent rebounder.
His low post scoring ability has opened up the court for one of the leagues best scorers, American import Ryan Zamroz.
Zamroz has filled the void of reigning league MVP Luke Meyer.
The guard has lit up the scoreboard on more then one occasion and has accumulated 769 points over his 26 games for the season.
Zamroz has shot 48 per cent from the floor this year and has netted a team high 105 three-pointers.
Wundenberg is the only Buccaneer to pass 200 rebounds this season with 236 next to his name.
Point guard Daniel Thomas leads the team in assists with 171 while Pepper has 24 blocks to lead the side.
Article by Billy Youngson (Geraldton Guardian)
Photo by Geraldton Guardian
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