By Oliver Lees
Despite a winless season, there were no shortage of positives for the Kyneton Tigers this year in the Country Basketball League north-west competition, according to coach Ash Clark.
As reported by Star Weekly in November 2021, the Tigers had opted to stick with a youthful squad in a bid to improve its development program.
As anticipated by coach Clark, this decision to develop the club’s program would be a short term pain for a long term gain.
The Tigers finished the nine game CBL season with nine losses from its nine outings.
The challenging year included five losses with deficits more than 50 points.
Coming up against more experienced outfits, Clark said his side showed signs of promise, but struggled to put together a full four quarter performance.
“We were fully aware of the challenge, and it was probably tougher than expected in the first season,” he said.
“It was about going back to the grassroots. But for the one’s that hadn’t played [in the CBL] before, I think it was a bit of an eye opener.
“It was a really good learning curve, we really know where we’re at and what we need to do.”
Clark intends to step down from the role of coach as the Tigers look to build towards becoming a more competitive team in the CBL.
He said the club was already in conversations with experienced coaches he believes will allow them to take that next step.
In his second year in the position, Clark said he was encouraged by the direction the club was moving in.
Players such as Cody Young, who at the age of 16 was a regular contributor throughout the season.
With the regular season completed the Tigers have announced their club award winners. Brendan McCarthy was named most valuable player and Noah Shiel as runner up.
Defensive player of the year went to Frasier Ampulski.
This season also marked the beginning of a new rivalry within the CBL, as for the first time ever, two teams from within the Macedon Ranges were in the competition.
The Macedon Ranges Rockies have had a breakout first season as they qualified for finals, finishing in fourth place.
On December 5, 2021, the Tigers and the Rockies squared off for the first time at the Woodend Buffalo Stadium.
The Rockies prevailed 112-45 and followed that up with a 101-39 win over the Tigers on January 29.
Clark said it was good to see basketball represented so well in the Macedon Ranges.
“You could tell from game one, there was going to be a strong rivalry,” he said.
“The first game drew a big crowd with a lot of local families.”
