THERE is no reason to expect any form of drop off from the Rockingham Flames as they defend the women's SBL crown in 2015 while the men's team looks to have enough pieces to be in the mix in that competition again as well.

The Flames' women made history in 2014 by winning Rockingham's first SBL championship in either competition and now with league MVP Samantha Whitcomb back on board along with the majority of that title winning team, they should again be right in contention to go back-to-back in 2015.

And then with the Flames' men coming off a second place finish in 2014 and looking to have built an improved squad in 2015, they should be in the mix for a top four position and all of that means that it is a good time to be a Rockingham basketball supporter for what looks a prosperous year ahead.

The Flames' women had a year to remember in 2014. They had the added motivation of losing the grand final of 2013 to the South West Slammers, and the rest of the competition felt their fury in 2014.

Rockingham's women dominated the competition right throughout 2014 winning 17 straight matches to open with and then to end up with a 20-2 record to be the minor premiers.

The Flames then went on to beat the Willetton Tigers in the quarter finals, the Kalamunda Eastern Suns in the semi finals and finally the Lakeside Lightning to claim the club's maiden SBL championship.

From that team, captain Kaye Tucker retired on the ultimate high but the majority of the rest of the group has stayed together.

Reigning MVP Whitcomb is back again and there's no reason to think she can't replicate her numbers from last year where she averaged 23.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.6 steals a game.

Centre Darcee Garbin is the Flames' second restricted player for 2015 and much like Whitcomb, there's little to suggest that the West Coast Waves player can't back up at least her 18.1 points and 9.3 rebounds she put up last year in the SBL.

With Jacinta and Talisia Bourne on board again as well as Tarsha Fletcher along with the signing of both Lizel Buckley and Cortney Hargreaves to help offset the loss of the retired Tucker, coach Ryan Petrik has assembled an outstanding group of women to try and defend their title.

The Flames' men had a terrific 2014 finishing the regular season in second position with a 17-9 record and with Mark Utley earning the Coach of the Year award.

Rockingham, in the end, was unlucky to cop the East Perth Eagles in the quarter finals and ended up losing to the eventual champions in three games.

With Cooper and Taylor Land continuing on with the Flames in 2015 as the restricted players and with Tom Remmerswaal among the others back again, the Flames have some outstanding contributors to see them in the playoff hunt.

Corey Craig is also back in a Flames uniform and with the majority of the same squad back from last year, considering they finished in second position then there's little reason to not expect them to be around the same mark this time around.

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY
MEN

STEPHEN CHARLTON
This might look like a drop off from last year, but I'm not so sure. They are well coached, proven, talented and have great continuity. Plus a couple of Aussie pick ups to add depth to last year's team. Rode their white hot start to 2nd spot last year, and while that probably won't happen again this year, I think 4th spot and a deeper playoff run is there this year.

My Prediction: 4th

MATT CECINS
The Flames have a strong line-up across the 1-3 spots, especially with the signing of Corey Craig. They have a very experienced frontcourt pairing in Remmerswaal and Moore and with the MSBL Coach of the Year Mark Utley again at the helm the Flames they will be very competitive this season. Cooper Land is back to terrorise opponents in 2015.

My Prediction: 4th

CHRIS PIKE
2014 Coach of the Year Mark Utley has kept his core group together with MVP Cooper Land returning alongside brother Taylor. They will be as hungry as ever after bowing out to East Perth in the playoffs last year and have a really good mix with a lot of depth coming off their bench.

My Prediction: 6th

WOMEN

CRAIG MANSFIELD
The 2014 champions, lose Kaye Tucker to retirement and I think her loss will be noticed by them, she fit their system perfectly being a stretch four who can handle the ball and play on the perimeter. They have added Buckle and Hargreaves is unknown for this season after recently having a child. Garbin will be even tougher after a strong WNBL season, but she and Whitcomb will need to have massive finals campaigns for them to repeat.

My Prediction: 2nd

MATT CECINS
The defending champions have lost Kaye Tucker, however strengthened other areas of the roster with the addition of Lizel Buckley and Cortney Hargreaves. Sami Whitcomb has been the best WSBL player of the last ten years and returns to a rock solid Flames outfit.

My Prediction: 1st

CHRIS PIKE
Any team with Sami Whitcomb (the best player we have ever seen in the WSBL in my opinion) is going to be competitive. Then throw in Darcee Garbin, the Bourne sisters, Courtney Hargreaves, Tarsha Fletcher and Lizel Buckley along with my pick for coach of the year Ryan Petrik and you have the chemistry for back to back championships. This year my feel is there are three teams who are a class above on paper and Rockingham is one of those.

My Prediction: 2nd