The SBL continues to grow despite the NBL crisis, the Geraldton Guardian reports below.

While the future of the NBL hangs in the balance, the State Basketball League appears to be flourishing, with increased gate attendances and an influx of high-calibre imports.

Attendances at Dominos Geraldton Buccaneers' home games have seen a steady increase since the start of the season and this has been reflected at the home games of SBL counterparts Willeton Tigers, the Cockburn Cougars and Lakeside Lightning.

Basketball WA CEO Rick Smith said despite the uncertainty surrounding the 2009/10 NBL season, the SBL was enjoying its most competitive season ever, rivalling similar competitions in other Australian states.

Smith put increased attendances at SBL games down to the high standard of players being attracted to league, such as the Buccs' US imports Michael Le Blanc and Luke Meyer, who are first and second respectively on the points tally table.

"There's more awareness about the SBL this year. We've been putting extensive marketing and liaising more with local newspapers to raise the coverage of the game," said Smith.

"The standard has been raised this season definitely. This is largely down to the influx of high quality players that are being attracted to our league."

At the Buccs' last home game, against East Perth Eagles on May 9, a season high 506 people walked through the doors to watch their local heroes.

Buccs' coach Ray Evans said he had also noticed an increase in the stands as the season had progressed.

"The league is a lot more even this year and a lot of the bottom teams are really starting to push the top teams, so from a spectator's perspective, it's probably better to watch," he said.

"The crowd numbers seem to be building every week at home and if we keep playing well we'll hopefully get more kids down to come and watch."

The increase in attendance has also been reflected at the home of the Buccs' red hot rivals, Perry Lakes Hawks, this season.

According to the Simon Petersen, the Lakeside Lightning administrator, the standard of this year's competition was the highest it has been in five years.

Petersen added that the Lightning have had trouble seating spectators for some home games.

"We get a steady crowd of between 400-500 people for our big home games," he said.

"The problem we have is seating everyone. We have 350 seats in our grandstand and 100 other seats which, when filled, means that spectators have to stand round the edges."

Article by Tom Davis (Geraldton Guardian)