By Tara Murray
Kyneton Tigers coach Chris Tighe is hoping last season’s Country Basketball League competition will provide a foundation for his side heading into the new season.
The Tigers were a new team last season but still managed to make the semi-finals, falling short against eventual runner-up Horsham Lady Hornets.
With impressive improvement last year and a near-intact squad, Tighe is confident they can have another good season in the North East division.
Tighe is in his first year coaching the Tigers and replaces Kim Strawhorn in the role.
He said the opportunity to take on a head coaching role in an area with a lot of talent was too good to refuse.
He has spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach at the Sunbury Jets, firstly with their Big V men’s division 1 and the past two years with the women’s Big V state championship team which has won back-to-back titles.
“It was good for me to be in the system after not having a [open age] head coaching role for three seasons,” he said.
“It’s a good chance to wet my feet and for me to check out some of the country associations.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Tighe, said he knew little about some of their opposition this season and he would be learning on the go.
However, he was confident they had a good team that would be in the mix at the end of the season.
The Tigers have a squad of 15 players, with up to 12 able to suit up for any single game.
Tighe said it was a similar squad to last season.
He highlighted Molly Greetham, who was part of the Jets’ championship side, and the Mangan sisters, as key players this season.
Brooke, Rachelle and Jess Mangan were all part of the Bendigo Braves Big V youth league side.
Jess played several games for the Braves in the South Eastern Australia Basketball League.
The squad also includes some up-and-coming players, such as Adrienne Cameron.
“She’s been playing under-16s at Sunbury,” Tighe said.
“She’s a Kyneton girl and will be a back-up point guard. It’ll be interesting to see how she steps up.
“Hopefully we’ll go one game further this year and win it.”
The Tigers kick off their season on October 14 against the Swan Hill Lady Flyers.
The men’s team, which will play in the north west competition, start their season on October 13 against Mildura Heat.
