SUN City Plumbing Buccaneers captain Matt Wundenberg is looking forward to seeing the team’s new up-tempo game style in action for the first time this weekend.

Wundenberg, who underwent ankle surgery in the offseason, said the SBL Pre-season Blitz tournament starting Saturday at the WA Basketball Centre will be a good way for the Buccs to trial their new game plan.

He said the troublesome ankle, which he injured during last year’s SBL season, is still not at 100 percent.

The centre said it is healthy enough to play and train on but he only expects to play 15 minutes a game this weekend.

Wundenberg warned the Buccs’ opponents that they better be prepared for some fast paced basketball.

“We will see how the three guards (Michael Lay, Daniel Thomas and Luke Wrensted), myself and Ralphy (Aaron Ralph) work together in the starting line-up,” he said.

“Pushing the pace will be a feature of our game this year, so this weekend will be a way to practice it.”

Buccaneers start the three-day competition tomorrow against the U18s WA Country boys side.

They then play Perry Lakes later in the day before taking to the court against Cockburn Cougars and Goldfields Giants on Sunday.

Wundenberg is hoping the good competition at training will relate into wins this season.

“With a good deep team, scrimmages at training have been really competitive,” he said.

“To watch DT (Thomas) and Michael Lay go at it at training is something to see.”

The Buccs’ regular season campaign tips-off on Saturday, March 17 in Bunbury against the South West Slammers.

They then play the Mandurah Magic the next day to finish the opening weekend.

Wundenberg said the team are confident heading into the season opener.

“We all still have the sour taste in our mouths about last year,” he said.

“We are definitely aiming for the top four but you have to be crazy not to want to win.”

Article by Taylor Courtland (Geraldton Guardian)