SUN City Plumbing Geraldton Buccaneers coach Ray Evans said he will have his men in prime condition when round one of the 2012 State Basketball League season tips off.

The Buccaneers began their pre-season training two weeks ago.

The Buccs have focused on skill work over the first portion of training.

Evans is confident the Buccs can get off to a flying start this season after stumbling through the first half of 2011.

“We have done work on a lot of skills, ball handling and shooting, that sort of stuff,” he said.

“It is hard for us in pre-season with getting courts and stuff but come the start of the season we want to be ready to go.

“Not like last year where we were behind and started on the back foot a little bit.”

A rollercoaster season saw the Buccaneers miss the playoffs for just the second time since entering the SBL in 1989.

They open the new campaign on the road with a double header against the South West Slammers and Mandurah Magic on March 17 and 18.

Evans is looking for Luke Wrensted to live up to his potential this season after increased court time last year.

“Luke Wrensted has had a good local season and is improving all the time,” he said.

“He is definitely ready to step up and play more minutes.

“His skill level and ball handling has improved and he has proved he can handle the SBL pressure so I look to him to have a big year.”

Evans is also expecting forward Aaron Ralph to increase his workload and play a bigger role than in previous seasons after watching the sharp shooter through pre-season.

“Aaron Ralph, with new responsibility in the local competition without Matt Wundenberg has taken his game to a new level,” he said.

“With that I expect him to come to the SBL this year and be more of a contributor than he was last year.”

Article by Taylor Courtland (Geraldton Guardian)
Photo from Geraldton Guardian