THE Cockburn Cougars relied heavily on the coaching and playing of Deanna Smith in 2015, but it's a fresh start in 2016 under a non-playing coach and two new imports in the Women's SBL.

Smith was an effective playing-coach at the Cougars in 2015 helping them to an eighth place finish in the regular season before losing in two quarter-final matches to the champion Rockingham Flames.

Not only was Smith the coach, but she was the star player for Cockburn averaging 22.0 points, 8.6 rebounds and 5.5 assists a game so she does leave a big hole to fill.

The task of coach falls to experienced coach John Triscari who most recently coached the Kalamunda Eastern Suns men's team last year and was Women's Coach of the Year back in 1997 with the Rockingham Flames.

It's a new look playing group for the Cougars as well with not only Smith departing, but import Katie Loberg has returned home and Abbie McDonald and Jesse McCarthy have moved on.

Cockburn has signed up two new imports for the season in the form of American pair Ashley Adams and Cherridy Thornton.

Adams is a 195cm centre who had a strong 123-game college career with the Ohio State Buckeyes before graduating in 2014 and playing in the Czech Republic in 2015.

And Thornton arrives at the Cougars as an athletic forward coming out of the University of Buffalo.

On top of the import signings for 2016, the Cougars have welcomed Vanessa Michael from the Rockingham Flames while Ruby Benn and Tessa Miotti are youngsters who could receive opportunities.

They do still have much of their core with the likes of Chelsea Evans, Taryn Priestly, Lauren Gandini, Kirsty Pitcher, Alyce Roberts and Kristen Everard back again.

During the SBL Blitz at Warwick Stadium, the Cougars beat the Joondalup Wolves and Metro teams, while losing to the Perry Lakes Hawks and Stirling Senators in two thrilling contests.

The Cougars' 2016 season begins on Saturday March 19 against the Perth Redbacks at Belmont Oasis Leisure Centre.

Their first home clash at Wally Hagan Stadium is on Saturday March 26 against the Kalamunda Eastern Suns.

ROSTER
Chelsea Evans, Nicole Pitcher, Tessa Miotti, Kirsty Pitcher, Taryn Priestly, Nicole Roberts, Kristen Everard, Alyce Roberts, Ruby Benn, Lauren Gandini, Vanessa Michael, Isabelle Miotti, Ashley Adams (restricted), Cherridy Thornton (restricted),
Coach – John Triscari

EXPERTS THOUGHTS
Championship Winning Coach - VLAD ALAVA
PREDICTION – 10th
Imports Adams and Thornton will need to be the best 1-2 punch this year to make their team a factor this season. The local girls are all "all-out effort" types so teams will know they are in a contest from start to finish.

SBL Slam Radio Host - MATT CECINS
PREDICTION – 8th
John Triscari is a former WSBL Coach of the Year and should get the Cougars to the playoffs. I like what Taryn Priestly and Kristen Everard offer in the Cougars backcourt, and new import players Ashley Adams and Cherridy Thornton add much needed height to the front court. The Cougars are one of the best clubs in the league at developing junior talent and retaining these players in the SBL ranks.

ANONYMOUS
PREDICTION – 11th
The departure of playing-coach Deanna Smith leaves a huge hole to fill and a big job for John Triscari to do as coach. A lot of their fortunes will depend on how good imports Adams and Thornton end up being.

Article by Chris Pike