COACH Matt Parsons wanted the Lapa Brazilian BBQ Restaurant Cockburn Cougars to run deep in 2016 and that's a major reason why they will finish first or second in the Men's SBL but he knows that doesn’t guarantee anything once the playoffs begin.

The arrival of import big man Marcus Goode has had a significant impact on the Cougars locking in a top two spot with two rounds of the regular season to go with the minor premiership likely to be decided next Friday against the Joondalup Wolves at Wally Hagan Stadium.

But Parsons feels the depth of his group is what has been the biggest factor in their current 20-4 record and not any individual talent even if Goode and fellow import Najee Lane have had outstanding seasons.

Much more than Marcus Goode behind Cougars rise 

Veterans Daniel Thomas and Rhett Della have been significant additions to a team that performed well in 2015 also while Gavin Field continues to lead the way.

Julian Pesava, Sheldon McIntyre, Jaarod Holmes, Steven Van Lit, Jake Harris and Travis Hayto are others ensuring that Cockburn has a deep bench for Parsons to call upon at any time.

The Cougars now take on the Mandurah Magic this Friday night at Mike Barnett Sports Complex before ending the regular season next Friday at home to the Wolves.

Providing both Cockburn and Joondalup enter that clash on the same record, the Cougars will need to beat the Wolves by 14 points having lost earlier in the season at Joondalup Basketball Stadium by 13.

"To be honest I haven’t thought about that game and I'm not looking at that game," Parsons said.

"With a neutral grand final, it probably doesn’t matter a great deal if you finish first or second, but I would like to finish first and that's just the competitive person in me. But we've got some pretty crucial games between now and then that will take up our focus."

While Parsons would like to see the Cougars finish in first place, the difference between top and second isn't great considering the grand final is at the neutral Bendat Basketball Centre, but he just wants to see his group continue to play with great heart and spirit.

"It is a nice thought where we could end up, but that's still just a thought. The plan is that we have to get there first and we have to do the work. I love the fact that our boys play for each other and play for me," he said.

"We don’t have a budget here at all unlike some other clubs so everyone that comes here plays for the right reason and I think you see that.

"My job is to make sure they understand that and you don’t have to motivate someone who wants to be there. You just enjoy your job, come to it every day and give it everything you've got. That's what we have here."

While Parsons has some outstanding top-end talent at his disposal led by Goode, Field and Lane, there's no doubt what he has been impressed with most throughout the year is those fringe players who have been getting their opportunities.

That has become even more important in recent weeks with Field, Thomas and McIntyre spending time on the sidelines and that has seen the likes of Van Lit, Harris, Hayto, Matej Mandic and Luke Wilson earn more court time and responsibility.

"We've put a massive emphasis on D-League this year and you've got to see that in the last couple of weeks when we've had some guys who have worked really hard, they understand their roles at training and are starting to replicate when they get a chance at SBL level," he said.

"For us it's energy, it's something different, it's adding value when they step on the floor and that's what the most enjoyable thing about a coach is seeing the kids show their stuff and some of the older boys get reward for effort.

"In times like this you see the commitment that the group has made to us as a program and they are getting rewarded by staying on the floor."

The Cougars won an SBL title in 2012 but by the end of 2014 when Parsons arrived as coach, there was plenty of work to do to make them a real threat again particularly following the departures of key players led by Damien Scott leaving for Willetton.

But last year Cockburn did a tremendous job in Parsons' first season in charge finishing the regular season in fourth spot before losing in playoffs to the Rockingham Flames.

They have now kicked up another gear further in 2016 to be assured of finishing first or second and Parsons has no doubt it's because of the commitment of the entire playing squad.

"We have come a long way but the respect needs to be given to the players because they have given the buy in," Parsons said.

"At the end of the day I get to have a bit of fun with them and ensure that they are getting the ball where they want to get the ball, that they understand what defensive sets and offensive sets we want to run.

"That's all catered around their individual skill sets and we've tried to build the program around them. And because they have ownership of it they enjoy it. We enjoy it as we play and you can see the atmosphere that we create on the bench and that's good.

"We back everyone in to have a crack, and there are no attitudes or egos. We have recruited a couple of guys into the program who are different to last year and they've really bought in and they have come in and are over themselves.

"They aren’t 25 and looking to make an impact, they are 30 and they want to finish their careers off with some success."

Article by Chris Pike
Photo by Mick Cronin