Our anonymous WSBL writer Konstantin Zoric has a look at what you should be looking out for in the SBL Pre-Season Blitz which starts tonight and runs through to Sunday 3 March at the WABC. 

1. Wolves v Tigers on Friday night will be a cracker of a game if both teams suit up their key players. Wolves will be very strong at this carnival after a competitive preseason and all players available to play.

2. New faces on the sidelines means new game plans and strategies. Wolves, Senators, Redbacks, Magic, Hawks and Eagles with new coaches for 2013.

3. Unlike last year foreign players without papers won’t be able to suit up. This means we may not see imports from Cougars, Flames, Senators, Slammers and Suns. However the league still expects over 20 foreign players from both leagues to play. 

4. Flames v Eastern Suns 7pm on Saturday night. An early rematch from a very entertaining finals series.

5. A few teams to hold back in Blitz games due to early season rematches. Hawks play Magic and Senators play Wolves in the Blitz and then again two weeks later in round one. Lightning play Magic and then again three weeks later in round two. It is unlikely coaches will reveal too much in those games before it counts in the regular season.

6. A talented group for the WA Country Under 18 girls. Look for them to be bigger and stronger than most of the WSBL squads they play against and to chalk up a few victories.
7. Lauren Jeffers to be lacing them up for Slammers (they just keep getting stronger). Who on earth is running the PG for Senators? Hannah Throns?

8. A new class of referees to get a taste of action. The 2012 crew did a fantastic job and more of the same is expected for 2013.

9. Returns to the WSBL from Emma Pass, Casey Mihovilovich, Natalie Burton, Melissa Moyle, Darcee Garbin and Jess Van Schie, all these players have been missed in recent seasons and will help make 2013 one of the most competitive years ever.

10. Grand final rematch 6:30pm on Sunday night. BWA have saved the best WSBL game until last on all three nights and those that hang around to watch will be rewarded. I’m picking Flames to be highly motivated and get a win after the sting of the 2012 grand final defeat.

Click here to view the fixtures & results for the SBL Pre-Season Blitz. 

Konstantin Zoric

The opinions, views and comments in this article are those of the individual and are not the opinions or views of the State Basketball League or Basketball WA.

Photo by Helen Theoharakis (Hoop Shots)