SUN City Plumbing Geraldton Buccaneers coach Ray Evans is hopeful a unified philosophy can spur his team to the 2011 SBL premiership.

Evans, who takes the reins for a third-successive term, believes a lack of team spirit cost the Buccs a grand final berth last year.

Harsh lessons were learned when the Buccs fell short to eventual champions Willetton in the 2010 semi-finals.

Evans called on every player to contribute this season.

“In those pressure situations when the game’s on the line, we need the team to be looking after each other,” he said.

“We need to get each other’s back and not go our separate ways when it gets tough at the end of the game.

“That’s the onus this year — to stay as a team.”

Evans admitted the pre-season injury to Todd Brown, coupled with delays to Michael Lay and Ben Pepper’s arrivals, had hindered preparations.

“Our game plan revolves around a lot of these guys, so it’s been a bit difficult,” he said.

“But we’re doing the best with what we’ve got and should get better as we go along.”

The Buccs have been lucky enough to lure the services of Perth Wildcats training player Everard Bartlett.

Bartlett, signed under import terms, will remain until American Todd Brown returns from his shoulder injury.

Should his stint with German club Konstanz end in tomorrow’s relegation play-off, Lay could touch down in Geraldton next week.

Former NBL big man Pepper is expected to return from holiday by round three.

Following this weekend’s opening games to Mandurah Magic and Cockburn, the Buccs could put the wind in their sails with wins in four consecutive home games.

Evans is counting on Jordan Myers and Luke Wrensted to help raise the spinnaker until the big guns get back on deck.

He tipped the teen duo to stamp their authority as the future stars, on the back of solid pre-season form.

“They’ve shown they are up to playing at this level and be major contributors for the team,” he said.

Article & by Thomas Davis (Geraldont Guardian)