Trent Slatter | 9th December 2011| The Chronicle Toowoomba

RETURNING Toowoomba Mountaineers coach Pop Dickerson believes the team can continue to improve on its breakthrough 2011 season.

The Mountaineers finally achieved some success under Dickerson after enduring two winless seasons in the QBL.

Led by star imports James Legan and Rashad Chase, Toowoomba transformed from basket case to genuine competitors this season, finishing 10th on the ladder with five wins.

The Mountaineers are in training ahead of next season and Dickerson said he expected the team to continue their roll into the 2012 season.

"I think that we can better that run that we had last year," Dickerson said.

"There's just a few more pieces to the puzzle to fit in.

"I think we're going to have a good year."

Dickerson has achieved a lot in his short time at the helm of the Mountaineers, helping to establish a winning culture among the former QBL cellar-dwellers.

While a finals appearance isn't out of the question, Dickerson said the most important thing was for the side to keep taking positive steps forward in 2012.

"We will know come mid-season if we are title contenders, but right now we just want to continue improving," he said.

"We're a year older now. We should play a lot better and with a lot more maturity.

"There's a few younger guys who will have another year's experience under their belt.

"I think we can play better than we did last year."

Preparations for next season have already begun with the players training Tuesday nights at Water St Basketball Stadium.

While Dickerson expects the nucleus of the squad to return in 2012, he said it was still too early to comment the final make-up of the side.

"It's a good roll-up but we're just getting ready," he said.

"I don't want to say who's on the team and who isn't. Nothing is official at the moment.

"We're just out there scrimmaging but I think we've got a good bunch of guys."

Dickerson encouraged any aspiring Mountaineers to come along to a training session and display their skills.

"If they think they've got the tools, come down and give it a go," he said.