THE South West Slammers had a memorable 2015 Men's SBL season with Ty Harrelson so close to a fairytale farewell but they now enter 2016 with more questions than answers surrounding them.

Harrelson's time at the Slammers came to an end following the Grand Final loss to the Joondalup Wolves and it was the culmination of a tremendous time he had put in as a playing-coach.

Harrelson led the Slammers to three playoff appearances and a Grand Final after he arrived with them having won four of their previous 78 matches.

But now with Harrelson heading back home to coach Wayland Baptist University and taking Josh Weir with him as an assistant coach, it's only the start of the turnover the Slammers have had heading into 2016.

Aaron Edwards also retired following the Grand Final while Jordan Hickert has headed to the Perry Lakes Hawks and Brian Voelkel has returned home.

That leaves plenty of holes needing to be filled by new coach Michael Van Lit, but the re-signing of MVP candidate Tre Nichols is significant.

He averaged 28.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.0 steals a game last season and will be determined to again ensure the Slammers are around the mark in his second SBL season.

Corey Easley is also a terrific signing particularly considering he is now classified as a local. He has proven good enough to fill an import spot in this league so it's a significant boost for South West that he now has joined as an unrestricted player.

Royal Crouch arrives as the second import for the Slammers with a flamboyant name and coming with the recommendation of Harrelson after he played his college ball with Wayland Baptist University.

During the SBL Blitz at Warwick Stadium, the Slammers scored a win over the Metro team but suffered defeats at the hands of the Perth Redbacks, Mandurah Magic and Willetton Tigers.

The Slammers open their 2016 season at home to the Joondalup Wolves in a Grand Final rematch on Saturday March 19 at Eaton Recreation Centre.

ROSTER
Tre Nichols (restricted), Wade Hitchcock, Clive Weeden, Trent Worthington, Sharieff Nepe, Travis Durnin, Royal Crouch (restricted), Daniel Woods, Corey Easley, Joshua Engalnd, Shaun King, Jacob Kobzeff.
Coach – Michael Van Lit

EXPERTS THOUGHTS
Championship winning coach – ADAM FORDE
PREDICTION – 12th
Big out with Hickert gone and even bigger one with Ty. Before Ty Harrelson took over as coach, the Slammers only averaged four wins a season for 11 years since 2002. Great to have Tre Nichols back, but I don’t see anyone in that line-up that can fill the void Ty has left behind.

SBL Slam Radio Host - MATT CECINS
PREDICTION – 13th
Huge holes to fill this season for the Slammers after such high profile coaching and player departures. You can only admire the talent and skills of Tre Nichols. He will shoulder a lot of the scoring load this season and set the league alight with his athleticism. Whilst adding the experience and face up shooting of league journeyman Corey Easley, it will be tough to replace a stat sheet stuffer in Brian Voelkel. Royal Crouch will be one name heard around the league in 2016.

ANONYMOUS
PREDICTION – 9th
It goes without saying that the departure of Ty Harrelson leaves a massive hole as does Jordan Hickert heading to the Hawks. Easley is a nice signing particularly given he is unrestricted having become a permanent resident while Tre Nichols looks hungry after a disappointing Grand Final performance. If Clive Weeden comes back from his knee injury then #SlammerNation could again be in playoff contention.

Article by Chris Pike
Photo by Grant Lauterbach Photography