THE Geraldton Buccaneers might have had a slight slip up last weekend but remain a genuine SBL championship contender for 2013 and while point guard Daniel Thomas is a big reason for that, he credits the team-first mentality of his teammates as the most important factor.

The Buccaneers had won six straight matches prior to last week's hiccup at home to the Wanneroo Wolves but remain in second position on the SBL standings with a 15-8 record to be just the one game behind the second-placed Perry Lakes Hawks.

Two wins this weekend is a big ask away to both the Perth Redbacks and Cockburn Cougars but if the Buccaneers pull it off then it would go a long way to them moving up to that second spot on the table.

Thomas was the Buccaneers' MVP last season and is having another strong campaign himself averaging 16.9 points, 4.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds a game.

But as a team they are vastly improved and he puts much of that down to import pair Carter Cook and Rob Kampman even if there was some import drama on the eve of the season tipping off.

"It's been about getting our imports in earlier. Obviously we had a little bit of trouble at the start of the year with our import as we all had a bit of a laugh about, but once Carter's come in we have gelled very quickly," Thomas said.

"We have two imports who are really good team guys, do the right thing by the community and everyone just loves having them around. Since then, all the other boys we've played together mostly for four years now so we have clicked really well and it is starting to come together."

Another reason for Geraldton's resurgence this year has been the form of Aaron Ralph. He is averaging 17.6 points and 7.3 boards and Thomas has certainly enjoyed watching him go about his business this year so far.

"There is one simple word for Aaron's form – scary. He is absolutely killing it right now. We are very fortunate to have him playing well because some of the guys, like myself, haven’t been shooting the ball too well lately," he said.

"To have Ralphy step up the way he has is so much fun to watch and he has given us that extra option. We have four guys now out on the court at any time who can put up numbers so it has been really fun to watch him play."

The most encouraging aspect of the Buccaneers from those inside the group and anyone who has watched them in action over the last two months is the unselfishness of everyone in the club.

While imports Cook and Kampman could be going out and look out for themselves, they are clearly playing in a way that shows they want a championship as are the rest of the team including Matt Wundenberg, Ralph and certainly Thomas.

The 28-year-old is enjoying the way the team is playing as a unit.

"That's the good thing about the unselfishness of our team. Obviously Rob has been around the league for a while and his personal goals are all out the window, he's all about winning a championship," Thomas said.

"Carter is one of the unique guys coming out at the age of 24 who just does not care about his own stats. At no point has he asked me to get him the ball more or anything like.

"Normally those imports that come out of college they like to prove themselves, but he has taken the approach that if we win a championship and he's putting up 20 and 10, that he will look better than he would if he was putting up 24 and 10 in a losing side.

"He has taken that approach and they are all just team guys. Matt never demands the ball either, he just plots along doing the dirty work and he has impressed."

Article by Chris Pike
Photo by Helen Theoharakis (Hoop Shots)