HILLS HOOPS KICKS OFF

The 2015 EHBA Mens A – League competition season will be a different beast to any of the previous decade. The landscape has definitely changed. You will still see a handful of Premier League players join the league, in increasing numbers as the season progresses. What’s new and exciting is an influx of legitimate local junior talent, in a bigger wave than ever before.

Last season’s champions Onka Piranhas will be looking for back to back titles, paced by possibly the most exciting prospect in the competition, American born Devon McGee. 6”6 McGee is currently tearing up courts across the Adelaide metropolitan area with the Eastern Mavericks Youth League team and will post big numbers for the already balanced Piranhas outfit.

League veteran and reigning MVP – Scott Baxter puts Zodiacs in the mix as one of teams to beat this season. Baxter is supported by son Mason who is making his league debut, along with the experienced backcourt duo of Wes Roach and Mike Smith. Zodiacs are certainly the club of note with their junior development program. Club Development Officer – Darren Small has entered two Zodiacs Development teams in the competition (Zodiacs 2 & 3). “With the abundance of junior talent available within our ranks we felt the need to give the kids the experience of senior competition play” said Darren Small. “It is a bold move but we believe it will pay dividends for the club in the long term”. Junior State team representatives Michael Harris and Sebastian Bald will be joined by Mavericks Youth League point guard – Zane Grivell, pocket rocket - Jack Trehearne and rookie of the year candidate – Max Glover as some of the notable juniors that will be on debut for the club this season. What these teams lack in experience they will certainly make up for in talent and enthusiasm. On the coaching front, former District and State Country junior coach Skeate Bald will make her debut as the only female in charge of a men’s team this season after taking over the position with the Zodiacs 3 Youth team.

The German Arms 76ers will again boast a strong line-up led by player coach and “long range bomber” Scott Rattus. A Former State junior representative Rattus has a number of years of experience in the competition and has the ability to make big plays when required. Supported by 76ers stalwarts Jayden Tarca, Sam Scott along with the athletic “excitement machine” -Jordan Houlihan, this team will have something to prove after their shock departure in last season’s semifinal clash at the hands of Zodiacs. The catalyst in that clash Matt Johns has crossed to rival club Mount Barker Magic for the summer season. Johns, a 6’5” junior who spent time with the Providence University Pilots of Canada, is looking to make an impression with the Magic this season. Currently training for a roster spot with Premier League men’s power house – Woodville Warriors he is a versatile swing forward that is hard to stop if he is firing. Joining Johns at Magic this season is former All-Blacks and Eastern Mavericks standout Andrew Mason. Mason returns to Hills basketball after an absence of 15 years and will add some front court muscle to the Magic this summer.

Hackers have recruited well in the off season adding 6’11 Centre and Eastern Mavericks Premier League player – Tom Giles along with former State junior small forward– Caleb Vears. To their line-up and could be an early season dark horse for the title.

Rim shots will again make tough work for teams on any given night. Notable EHBA Senior player - James Dean will be the main stay for this group of “battlers”. A physical and more defensive minded unit, Rim Shots will certainly cause their fair share of upsets if opposition teams have their guard down.

With an uncharacteristic balance of youth and experience, the 2015/16 A League season could be the best season for a long while. Competition is every Wednesday evening at the Mount Barker Recreation Centre.

Next week we preview the A League Women.

Photo is L-R: Tall Timber on the courts this summer: Tom Giles (Hackers), Leading Senior Referee – Ian Barham and Devon McGee (Piranhas).