For the Sunbury Jets’ Big V men’s division 1 basketball side, the coming season is about setting the foundations for the years to come.
With a predominantly local list and all but one player aged 23 or under, Jets’ new coach Andrew Summerville says this season will be one of transition in which expectations are significantly based on key performance indicators and the ability to improve and nurture players.
“I’m trying to focus on where we plan to be in two to three years’ time,” he said. “This year’s about changing the culture and laying some foundations for the next couple of years.”
Summerville said that with the exception of imports Ish Sanders and Mitchell Newton, most fans would be familiar with the Jets players.
“There’s a lot of familiar faces, but it’s not the exact same team as last year when we had a lot of youth league guys floating between the senior and youth sides.
“This year they’ve probably secured their spot in the senior team.”
Summerville highlighted Nathan Baker, Billy Feben and Brad Collins as three players who will make the transition.
“We’ve got a couple of young guys and if we’re patient with them and nurture them in the right way, they will be good players in a few years’ time,” he said.
“They’re not ready to shoulder the responsibility of being the go-to players, but if we can manage them over the next year or two they’ll be a special group.”
Aden Muir, who was a finalist in the youth league division 1 MVP race in 2014 with the Jets, has returned to the club this season and will play in the men’s team.
Among the players not returning are Luke Valentine, who’s set to play in championship division, Sammy Gazzo, Javari Williams and Ben Jones.
Summerville says he’s been impressed by the leadership skills displayed by Newton and Sanders.
“Ish is a scoring machine [he hit 41 points in a pre-season game] and a great leader around the group,” he said.
“Mitch is only 20 and has already played in three NZNBL championship teams with really high-calibre players.”
The coach says the experience and maturity of Newton is impressive for a player of his age.
“He has a bright future.”
