The Premier League’s Feature “Between The Lines” is the sequel to the CABL’s “Beyond Regulation”. Here you will find in-depth coverage of the Premier League’s latest issues.

 By James Woite 

2014 Review

 In the men’s competition, the Woodville Warriors were crowned State Premiers for the first time since 2005, defeating a luckless West Adelaide team by two points in the Grand Final. It was just the second time in the last 10 seasons that the ‘home’ team claimed the men’s championship.

 The Bearcats’ Grand Final loss was their second in succession, and their third in five seasons. It was a sensational effort by the red and black to come so far, having won the Elimination Final, First Semi Final and Preliminary Final, before bowing out in dramatic circumstances. Alexander Starling was crowned Grand Final MVP, but it was Darren Ng with the game-winning layup – on a play where Starling did not touch the basketball.

 The Norwood Flames were the league’s biggest improvers, climbing from six regular season wins to 14. The Central District Lions, for a second straight season, and the Forestville Eagles rounded out the five.

  

Who will rise, who will fall?

 

Woodville Warriors

            2014 Finish:                             Premiers

            2014 Record:                           16-4

Transfer summary:                 The Warriors have lost the competition’s best player from 2014 in Alexander Starling. Ian Nixson has come in as a replacement import, while they have also signed 36er Mitch Creek. Starling is not the only key departure, with big men Steve Pilkington and Adam Blight, and guards Jarrod Graves and Dominic White, just four of the 10 exclusions from last season’s line-up.

Verdict:                                   If Nixson can play up to something near the level of his predecessors Starling and Aaron Wyatt (Woodville’s 2014 import), the Warriors will be in great shape to defend their title. The addition of Creek arguably makes them stronger at the top of their rotation, but the loss of the likes of Graves and Pilkington means they are not as deep at the end of the bench.

BTL Prediction:                        Top Two

 

 West Adelaide Bearcats

            2014 Finish:                             2^nd

            2014 Record:                           14-8

Transfer Summary:                 Adam Pearce is back for another shot at a title run, while international guard Jason Dawson has been replaced by 203cm PF/C David Sturner.

Verdict:                                   With virtually the same side that took the court in 2014, the Bearcats are a great chance of finally chalking up that elusive flag. Perhaps the change of competition name will result in a change of luck for the westerners. Avoiding another Elimination Final should be a priority, making their postseason road a little bit simpler.

BTL Prediction:                        Top Two

 

 

Norwood Flames

            2014 Finish:                             3^rd

            2014 Record:                           15-6

Transfer Summary:                 The Flames have once again looked to the past to improve their future, bringing back Ben Howell and Nick Hambour. This recipe backed success last season, with Todd Matthews winning yet another Defensive Player of the Year award. Matthews has once again made the transaction headlines, as he is listed as an ‘out’ for the second time in three years.  Jacob Holmes is also set to join the Flames part way into the season bringing in an experienced campaigner.

Verdict:                                   Without Matthews, the Flames have lost one of the league’s most well-rounded players. This could cause their winning percentage to drop, but with the likes of Holmes, Matthew Lycett and Andrew Webber in uniform, they should have enough firepower to feature in finals.

BTL Prediction:                        Top Four

 

Central District Lions

            2014 Finish:                             4^th

            2014 Record:                           12-8

Transfer Summary:                 The Lions have made a few changes to their line-up. Most notably, they have lost free-shooting import Kyle Miller and replaced him with another international guard in Tyler Kennedy. Four rookies have been added to their squad list.

Verdict:                                   Miller has been so vital to the Lions’ success the past couple of seasons, leaving Kennedy with big shoes to fill. If he can perform to a high standard, there is no reason to think the Lions will fail to return to the postseason for a third successive season. If not, they could find themselves on the outside looking in.

BTL Prediction:                        Fourth - Seventh

 

Forestville Eagles

            2014 Finish:                             5^th

            2014 Record:                           11-8

Transfer Summary:                 The Eagles have lost a lot of experience due to the departures of current/former NBL players Adam Gibson, Neil Mottram and Kane Oakley. They have chosen to recruit from around the league to replace these players, with former North Adelaide player/coach Pero Vasilijevic and Daniel Sims, who played with Woodville in the early part of 2014, joining the ranks. Also joining the club is basketball legend Al Green as assistant coach to Andy Simons.

Verdict:                                   The Eagles have gone on big winning streaks the past couple of seasons following some masterful midseason recruiting. On paper at present, the Eagles are a fringe finals team, but do not be surprised if something big comes out of Wayville before the season’s done.

BTL Prediction:                        Third - Sixth

 

Sturt Sabres

            2014 Finish:                             6^th

            2014 Record:                           9-9

Transfer Summary:                 The Sabres are once again set to blood a heap of youth, as a couple more of their prodigies (Hamish Burns, Jordan Heading) head off to college. Clifford Reed replaces Dexter Moore in the import slot, while rising star John Marriott will return.

Verdict:                                   Despite losing a lot of their strongest players in recent seasons, the Sabres have continued to stay competitive due to the superior development of their cubs. The inclusion of Marriott, a strong interior player, fills a major hole that was lacking in 2014. After two seasons without finals, the Sabres could be back on the big stage this year.

BTL Prediction:                        Fourth - Seventh

 

South Adelaide Panthers

            2014 Finish:                             7^th

            2014 Record:                           7-11

Transfer Summary:                 In recent seasons, the Panthers’ line-ups have changed dramatically from year-to-year, but this time, their rotation appears to be intact. New import Jeremy Smith could prove to be the X-factor.

Verdict:                                   The Panthers were one of the most improved sides in the competition in 2014, making a finals push, but not having quite enough to get into the top five. Shane Boal and Bradley Reid were excellent as an inside-outside duo. If Smith can put in some quality performances, their improvement should continue, and they will be in with a shout for a return to post-season action.  

BTL Prediction:                        Fifth - Eighth

 

Southern Tigers

            2014 Finish:                             8^th

            2014 Record:                           6-12

Transfer Summary:                 The Tigers will have almost a whole new rotation in 2015. Key players Michael Florance, Codey Ellison, Samuel McDaniel and Todd Smyth have moved on. A host of new rookies will be given a chance, while import Brandon Gleaves and rising star Majok Deng have also been added to the squad.

Verdict:                                   After just three wins from their final 15 games in 2014, Coach Rashad Tucker appears to have blown things up and started all over again. It is great that so many young South Australian ballers will be getting a chance at Tigerland, but it may take some time before the yellow and black begin to pressure the scoreboard.  

BTL Prediction:                        Bottom Two

  

Eastern Mavericks

            2014 Finish:                             9^th

            2014 Record:                           3-15

Transfer Summary:                 The Mavericks have lost their best player from last season in Curtis Scipio. A new import in Decorey Jones has come in, while former 36er-turn-footballer Jordan Dodman will be back playing basketball with the Mount Barker club.

Verdict:                                   There are a number of famous basketballers with a ‘De’ at the front of their name (DeAndre Jordan, Demar Derozan, DeMarre Carroll), so it will be interesting to see if Decorey can rise to elite status. If the Mavericks are to rise up the ladder, they will need their experienced youngsters, such as Dylan Shorne and Daniel Lean, to take the next step.    

BTL Prediction:                        Bottom Two

 

North Adelaide Rockets

            2014 Finish:                             10^th

            2014 Record:                           3-15

Transfer Summary:                 The Rockets made arguably the best recruit of the offseason, signing former College Basketball superstar Aric Miller. On the down-side, they have lost powerhouse Pero Vasilijevic.

Verdict:                                   One of the key factors to the Rockets’ season is going to be how quickly Miller settles. Another is going to be whether their other players can improve on last season’s efforts and score enough points to get the team to a winning score. This side could be the surprise packet of 2015.      

BTL Prediction:                        Fifth - Eighth