Steele Taylor | 20th May 2011| Sunshine Coast Daily

IT'S BEEN a tough initiation to the Queensland Basketball League for some of the Maroochydore Clippers recruits but women's coach Greg Kent predicts his youthful side will mould into a formidable outfit.

Maroochydore lost its two season-opening games by 29 points and 16 points respectively but the side learned some valuable lessons and is starting to gel, according to Kent.

“They're capable of very good things,” he said.

“They're young.

"At critical times they just lack the experience to get the job done. But they're coming on quite well and they will be a very good team.”

His team boasts just one player over 20 years old – Jacqui Frazer, 23.

His side includes two 15-year-old talents. Starting centre Yasmine Miller is a Queensland age representative and “she's got great ability”, according to Kent.

Miller and fellow youngster Jess Gajewski are likely prospects who “both played very long minutes” in the opening encounters. “All of the girls have impressed me,” Kent said.

“Being so young, they gave Ipswich a great run for their money last week. They gelled quite well and I reckon in another three or four rounds together, I think they'll become quite good.”

Kent believes his team will give Brisbane a scare in their match at Maroochydore this evening.

“We're looking to be a little more consistent in our shooting. Our percentages have been quite low and we need to cut down our turnovers a bit more.”

Maroochydore's men's outfit is also winless from two games and faces a tough task against leaders Brisbane tonight. Clippers co-captain Michael Goff will celebrate a 250-game QBL milestone.

GAME DAY:
MAROOCHYDORE v BRISBANE
Maroochydore Basketball Stadium, Syd Lyngard Drive. Women 6.30pm tonight, men 8.30pm.