Cobras set to strike

THE Kilsyth Cobras hope to score premiership glory this season as they put two of their youngest squads on court for the 2010 SEABL season.
The men’s squad took to the floor for a double-header on the weekend to kick-start the season, coming out with a 1-1 win-loss record.
They started the season on a high on Saturday night taking the honours in a one point 76-75 victory over Hobart but it was shortlived with an 88-74 loss against Tasmania on Sunday.
Head coach Grant Wallace said despite an interrupted pre-season the men would be strong contenders for this year’s premiership flag.
“We are fairly optimistic,” he said.
Wallace said the men didn’t have the best preparation with three of the squad finishing up their NBL commitments and imports Ryan Bathie and Quincy Henderson heading back to the US.
On his return home, Bathie injured his ankle and ended up with an infection in his arm.
But Wallace said that wasn’t the end of the upheaval for the team.
Rising star Glenn Potts has also been distracted after his mother died of cancer.
On the up side, Wallace said Matt Shanahan was looking really good on the court and was in the best shape he had been for a long-time.
But Shanahan’s time with the Cobras may be shortlived because he got a job in Coffs Harbour.
“He has just moved up there so we’re not sure we will see much of him at all this year,” Wallace said.
Wallace said despite the turmoil the squad was still looking really strong.
The men’s squad also has four rising stars that have come up through the ranks from the juniors and the D-league.
Wallace said it was great seeing so many young players coming through.
He said there had been real shift this season with a number of younger guys taking their spot on the team.
The Cobras hope to go one better this year after going down to the Knox Raiders in the preliminary finals last year.
“Every team has improved and recruited well this year,” Wallace said.
“Whilst we have improved everyone else has, too; it’s going to be a touch season but it’s good for the league.”
The Lady Cobras not only take to the court next week with a rejuvenated squad but a new coach.
Former WMBL coach Cheryl Chambers will bring a new energy to the Cobras this season.
For the past eight years she has been a staple on the WMBL scene coaching the Bulleen Boomers with a 90-81 win-loss record.
Chambers also has a challenge on her hands with a young squad.
“We still have three girls to come but the girls here are fantastic and have been working really hard,” Chambers said.
She said the mixture with veterans such as Gemma Kerr, Erica McMenamin and Hayley Moffatt included was also exciting.