By Tara Murray
Craigieburn Eagles have added some more depth for the Big V men’s division 1 season as they look to challenge again.
Last season’s division 2 champions, the Eagles will face a new challenge this season in the higher division.
Having locked in their core group from last season, the Eagles have added some new faces.
Coach Tim Annett said they were keen to get back out on the court and see what they could do.
“It has been a big pre-season and we’re looking forward to it,” he said. “We are definitely confident that we can step up and challenge in the stronger competition.
“Looking at past teams that have stepped up and been very competitive. We think we have the right team to be in the mix.”
The Eagles have managed to lock in their core group that took them to last season’s title.
One of the first signatures that Annett was keen to lock in was import and grand final most valuable player Lewayne Grant.
“That was our number one priority,” Annett said. “It was relatively easy from both sides of things from the club and Lewayne.”
Gene Vocale, Mark Berezdecky, captain Max Viitala, Brad Hassell and Abe Solano are among others to re-sign.
Annett said they had added three new players, all with state championship experience.
James Weston crosses from the Sunbury Jets and is known for his three-point shooting. Weston is a Craigieburn local.
Lachlan Kego and Tyler Best both join the club from Shepparton.
Kego is described as a dominant force in the paint and has won a number of awards in the Country Basketball League.
Best will join the team in a few weeks time after he has finished college.
Annett said he would bolster the squad’s height and athleticism.
While going up a division can be daunting, Annett knows that it doesn’t daunt their playing group with most having played at this level or above.
“We recruited well last year and managed to keep that core group together,” he said. ”They had played high-level basketball and the aim was to get the job down and step up to division 1. Hopefully we’re in the position to be competitive again.”
The Eagles are set to kick off their season on Saturday night against the Warrnambool Seahawks.
The club is going to unveil its premiership banner.
The Eagles women’s side are also in action in the game before at 6pm.
