Whittlesea Pacers have set the expectations high for the Big V men’s division 1 season.
After a finals appearance last season and having kept the core group together, coach Des Radoslovic says they are determined to have success.
“We’re pretty confident in what we have added,” he said. “We have eight locals returning and we have a healthy import now.
“We want to win it and go back into state champ. That’s what we set out to do when we came back and win titles along the way.
“I have confidence in the group.”
Radoslovic said they had added four key pieces to the group, giving them a strong 12 player squad.
Gabe Evans, who won the Big V division 2 most valuable award, returns to the side after a couple of years in Europe.
He will fill the role left by the retirement of captain Jason Dirkx.
Brendan Young will fill the import role.
Young joins the club from Madonna University in Michigan where he was a three-time first team all conference player.
Matt Fennell, who had spent the past 10 years with the Ringwood Hawks, will give the Pacers some leadership.
Fennell is no stranger to the club, having started his career at the Pacers before going on to play more than 300 games at National Basketball League 1 and Big V championship experience.
Radoslovic said both Young and Fennell would give the side some bigger bodies.
“Matt shoots the ball well and passes well and is a good leader,” he said.
“Our import is a stronger body import who shoots the ball.
“We like to play positionless. The advantage this year with Matt and Brendan is we can change things up and have different line ups we haven’t had before.”
Jalen Salon, who was the starting point guard for Altona last season, has switched to the Pacers to be the other addition to the side.
Radoslovic said they felt they were stronger across all lines of the court.
“The culture that we’ve built is a real Pacers family,” he said.
“We’ve got an import and two non-Pacers coming in.
“The extra continuity of the group will help us evolve and build.”
Pat Green will captain the side this season with Sam Reynolds named vice-captain after the players voted on them to take on the roles.
Radoslovic said both were Pacers through and through and looking forward to the challenge of leading the group.
The Big V division 1 season will kick off on 21 March.
