Saturday 6th May 2017
5pm Women | 7pm Men
GAME NIGHT PROGRAM SATURDAY 6th MAY 2017 Printed by
14 Hepner Place North Geelong 3215 Ph: 52722558
VS SEABL WOMEN – 5:00PM SEABL MEN – 7:00PM
FROM THE FRONT OFFICE After nearly a month away from the Geelong Arena, an Easter break and a bye it almost feels like the start of a new season this week. Add to this the introduction of two new players to our women’s team tonight I’m sure the players are upbeat and ready for tonight. The Gunners and Capitals have had a tough start to the season, but both have started to show some form and the recruitment of former Ballarat Miner Roy Booker adds another element to the Gunners line up and our teams will need to be on their game to get their seasons back on track. Tonight we will break from tradition to start the Men’s game, after a successful Country Championship campaign our SEABL Men will step aside and allow you to meet the next generation of the Supercats, OUR U14 BOYS. This is a great gesture by our SEABL men who when asked were fully supportive of allowing the club to present the younger Supercats tonight. For those that have been around the club for many years and especially over the past 4 years as the Supercats and GABA have joined to form Basketball Geelong Inc. you would understand the significance of tonight as our club continues to build a ONE CLUB approach.
Later in the year the U14 Boys will head to the National Championships, so tonight our boys will take the opportunity to raise some money to help with their journey. Following their presentation on court they will head into the crowd with buckets, if you can spare some change to help them with their efforts the boys will be extremely appreciative. #SeeRed #SupercatsFamily Regards, Dean Anglin CEO
MATCH DAY PREVIEWS MEN Luina Geelong Supercats (3rd East Conference 4-3) vs. Canberra Gunners (8th East Conference 0-5) After a disappointing trip to Sandringham last Saturday, the Luina Geelong Supercats return to the Arena keen to make the most of three home games in May, including tonight’s meeting the winless Canberra. The Supercats will be hoping for the likes of Ma’alo Hicks and Eric Gaff to increase their scoring input to help ease the pressure on DeMarcus Gatlin and Nathan Herbert. At 22.3ppg and 19.7ppg, respectively, Gatlin and Herbert are the only Geelong players with their scoring average in double figures. The absence of veteran forward Ash Cannan has also had an impact, limiting the rotations for coach Leon O’Neill. After having the week off following the Easter break, the Gunners were more than competitive against Melbourne Tigers before falling by six points. Big man Ben Allen has been the star so far for Canberra, averaging 20.4ppg and 12.4rpg. The influence of Daniel Joyce and former Ballarat star Roy Booker (both 15.0ppg) will have to be curbed to ensure Geelong remains better than .500 and doesn’t suffer a second loss at home in 2017.
WOMEN Luina Geelong Lady Supercats (3rd East Conference 3-3) vs. Canberra Capitals Academy (7th East Conference 1-3)
The Lady Supercats have bolstered their squad ahead of this weekend’s home game against Canberra, welcoming the return of Alexandra Bunton as well as recruiting former Dandenong Rangers point guard Ellen Kett. Kett joins the club after four years at Canada’s Simon Fraser University, an NCAA Division 2 School, where she averaged 12.2 points a game and 7.7 assists in 34 games last season. Having played just once since the loss to Kilsyth on April 8 – a 71-59 win over Albury/Wodonga the week after Easter – the Luina Geelong Lady Supercats will be keen to get some continuity in their 2017 season. They take on a Canberra roster whose schedule has been even less demanding than that of Geelong. Following a loss to Sydney Uni on April 8 in the round before Easter, the Capitals Academy next game was a 76-73 win over Melbourne last Saturday. Canberra has five separate scorers in double figures against the Tigers, including 16 points from star big Marianna Tolo who is not making the trip to Geelong, while rising star Keely Froling posted the impressive stat line of 15 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and three steals. The battle between Froling and Lady Supercats star Sara Blicavs is a mouth-watering one. Geelong may have the advantage in the backcourt, with Alex Duck and Isabella Brancatisano making solid starts to season 2017. They are averaging eight assists between them.
MY RUSSIAN EXPERIENCE When you hear stories about playing overseas you always hear about the crazy moments with the locals, coaches getting fired or the weird foods and scary taxi rides. Well I’m about to tell you no different!! Last September I ventured off into the unknown land of European Women’s Basketball in Moscow, Russia. Two trainings a day, maybe 3 if I wanted to lift. Non-English speaking coaches. Soup, soup and more soup, language barriers and crazy fans that scream and yell and beat drums from the stands. It was pretty full on at the start but once I settled in I started to adapt to the Russian ways and made myself at home in my little two bedroom apartment. I played in two different leagues which allowed me to travel across Europe seeing different cultures and most importantly different styles of basketball which has challenged my basketball mind and playing style. It was a physical and tough league to play in but I loved how I wasn’t the only “big” girl out there. I was fortunate enough to play against some of the best female basketballers in the world and meet some pretty amazing people. My team came 3rd in the EEWBL league and finished 4th overall in the Russian league which was a goal from the get go of our club from previous years. Slowly as the season went on I experienced my first real winter and temperatures below freezing. Traveling to Siberia and other remote parts of Russia made me grateful that I was in a big city and slightly warmer weather. I had a crazy driver named Maxim who spoke broken English and had road rage which entertained me whilst I was stuck in traffic. I played along side a fellow Aussie Katie Ebzery. Katie was my road trip roomie and we loved having each other there to laugh about the differences in culture and talking about home. One of our main focuses was getting home and have a good coffee which kept us going in those -20 temperatures. I was lucky that my parents could come over and explore my world for a little bit and keep me company for a few weeks!
by ALEX BUNTON I have tons of memories and stories from this experience that will stay with me forever but one that really stands out for me was when Eric Gaff got down on one knee in Red Square and proposed!!! It was a perfect moment apart from how cold it was!! I am glad that I went over look forward to what's ahead of me and what adventures await but defiantly happy to be back in Geelong with the SEABL teams. Been a long 8 months away from home!
FROM THE GEELONG ADVERTISER “It was my first full season in a while, actually, just after SEABL, too, so I kind of went over there not knowing what to expect and I got a lot out of it — more than I actually thought I would,” Bunton told the Geelong Advertiser. “I learnt a lot about my game and what I need to work on to compete at that level. “It was actually really cool. I really enjoyed it. It was really different but it was a great experience for me.” Bunton said she had kept track of the side’s results through coach David Herbert, and hoped she could quickly fit in with the new-look line-up. “Herby has been keeping me up to date on Facebook and I’m actually really keen to get back,” she said. “I’m proud of the girls and what they’ve been able to do so far, and from what I’ve heard they’ve been putting things together (and) they’re excited to have me back, which is nice to hear.
PROPOSED STADIUM DEVELOPMENT DONATE TODAY AND HELP US BUILD OUR NEW HOME
LUINA GEELONG SUPERCATS SEABL WOMEN Number
Full Name
Position
Player Sponsor
Age
5
Alex Duck
Guard
26
8
Agnes Emma-Nnopu
Guard/Forward
15
9
Chantel Horvat
Forward
18
13
Alex Bunton
Centre
23
15
Sara Blicavs
Forward
24
20
Ebony Rolph
Forward
22
24
Isabella Brancatisano
Guard
22
19
Georgia Tauschke
Guard
21
30
Charlotte Brancatisano
Guard
20
44
Eve Braslis
Forward
17
98
Ellen Kett
Guard
23
Head Coach
David Herbert
Assistant Coaches
Glenn Sharp & Darren Busuttil
Team Manager & Assistant Team Managers
Beth Davis, Marcus Lovell & Malik Davis
Strength & Conditioning Coach Physio
Chelsey Cameron provided by Corio Bay Health Group
CANBERRA SEABL WOMEN Number
Full Name
Position
4
Caitlin Rowe
Guard
6
Callie Bourne
Guard
7
Emma Bourne
Guard
8
Chloe Tugliach
Forward
11
Keely Froling
Forward
12
Abbie Davis
Forward
23
Sarah McAppion
Guard
24
Rosie Schweizer
Forward
31
Emma Rowcliffe
Centre
15
Maddison Penn
Forward
Head Coach Assistant Coach Team Manager
Debbie Cook Tracey Beatty Deb McAppion
NEXT HOME GAME SATURDAY 20th MAY vs BENDIGO WOMEN 5pm & MEN 7pm
Age
LUINA GEELONG SUPERCATS SEABL MEN Number
Full Name
Position
Player Sponsor
Age
5
DeMarcus Gatlin
Combo Guard
24
8
Kris Blicavs
Combo Gard
28
9
Nick Owusu
Point Guard
32
11
Nathan Herbert
Shooting Guard
32
15
Ma'alo Hicks
Power Forward
29
17
Nathan Freind
Guard
26
21
Kristian Rocci
Shooting Guard
23
24
Liam McInerney
Power Forward
26
42
Eric Gaff
Centre
30
52
Jamie Medved
Shooting Guard
34
54
Ash Cannan
Power Forward
35
Head Coach
Leon O’Neill
Assistant Coach
Luke Beauglehall
Team Manager & Assistant Team Managers Physio
Jesse Drever, Nathan Scarlett & Marcus Lovell provided by Corio Bay Health Group
CANBERRA SEABL MEN Number
Full Name
5
Ben Allen
30
6
Daniel Joyce
28
7
Shaun Mills
22
8
James Toohey
18
9
Ben Kearins
22
11
Broderick Doran
17
12
Glenn Morison
17
13
Nate Brown
18
15
Isaac Plunkett
23
15
Isaac Plunkett
23
20
Mitchell Brown
22
Roy Booker
Head Coach0 Assistant Coach Assistant Coach Team Manager
Position
Shawn McEachin Andrew Coulter Herb McEachin Barb Turner
NEXT HOME GAME SATURDAY 20th MAY vs BENDIGO WOMEN 5pm & MEN 7pm
Age
THE NBL COMBINE written by DeMarcus Gatlin My experience at the NBL combine was great, I went in with a lot confidence this year. It helps that the combine was run so professionally and that there wasn't a whole lot of standing around for long amounts of time. It was also motivating to actually see NBL scouts there because it shows that they actually invested their time to come look at some guys who are trying to prolong and advance in their basketball careers. The first day of the combine we did all of the testing, I felt pretty good especially with the break from Easter weekend. After doing the testing it made me feel more comfortable with getting up and down with the games. My approach was to be vocal on defense and assertive on offense. I wanted to show my coach and team that I could be a leader while also being able to listen and accept criticism. I felt very privileged to be able to perform in front of NBL coaches. I hope to get an opportunity to play in the NBL but I'm not expecting my results from the combine to be the only reason I get a chance. I feel like if the Supercats win and I play well then I might have a chance to join a team. If not, it's not the end of the world I'll just continue to improve and work on my weaknesses. Whether or not I make a NBL team this will not define me or my career. In the mean time I'll do what I can do to help the Supercats win games.
IT’S NOT TO LATE TO BECOME A SUPERCATS MEMBER PURCHASE NOW ONLINE OR AT THE SUPERCATS SHOP
THE SUPERCATS HAVE PROUDLY DONATED THE FOLLOWING ITEMS TO THIS EVENT 1 x 8 seat catered corporate box, including Sandwich platter, Hot food & dessert box and a basic esky. 1 x Signed Supercats Singlet, signed by both the 2017 Men’s and Women’s teams 1 x Signed Supercats Ball, signed by both the 2017 Men’s and Women’s teams
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