QBL Transactions: Ryan Vines re-signs with Pirates, Shackleford re-signs with Bulls
Ryan Vines re-signs with Pirates
Ryan Vines returns to SWM in 2016 after spending time at Townsville Crocs as a training player. Vines averaged 16.2 points 5.1 assists and 3.7 rebounds in 2005 for the Pirates. Vines was schedule to play for the Brisbane Spartans in 20016 but the deal fell apart. BE Take: Vines returning to the club is the right move. Personally I thought Vines going to Spartans was a bad move. Just because CJ Bruton is both apart of the Spartans and the Brisbane Bullets doesn’t necessarily mean that playing at Spartans will make it easier to get into the Bullets. If guys like Vines that have a hope for a NBL gig at Brisbane need to have an exceptional season (whether that’s QBL or SEABL) and show that they talent, potential and work ethic to step up that next level. Vines has a better chance at Pirates, they have added a legit shooting guard in Brendan Teys, they shored up their bench with guys like Alex Boardman and Luke Pittle. Vines doesn’t need to carry scoring like last year but he needs to have consistency against the stronger teams. Willie Shackleford returns to captain Bundaberg
Willie Shackleford return in 2016 to continue captaining the Bundaberg Bulls. Shackleford has been a mainstay for the Bulls for several years. He averaged 17.1 points and a league high 17.2 rebounds in 2015 for the 1-16 Bulls, slight below his 2014 averages of 19.0 point and 19.1 rebounds. BE Take: I get what Shackleford has done for Bundaberg over the years, the impact he has had on local kids, on the overall attendances at Bundaberg. He may go down as one of the best if not the best rebounder in the league’s history. The problem is despite all the individual records and accolades, Bundaberg teams with Shackleford as their lead player have been mediocre at best (outside of the 2014 season where they had 9 wins to their credit). Bundaberg has a problem attracting players from out of town and they rely on Shackleford, another import and youngsters who frankly don’t have the skills and are not QBL ready. Shackleford is turning 31 this year and Bundaberg management will need to start making decisions either build a decent team to give Shackleford a couple of shots at playoffs before his end of his playing career or eventually move on from Shackleford. Brent Wallace set to sign with Ipswich Force
Rockhampton Rockets bigman Brent Wallace is set to join Ipswich Force for the upcoming season. Wallace was rumoured to join SEABL outfit Brisbane Spartans but instead joins the Force. Wallace averaged 4.2 points (63.5% from the field) and 5.2 rebounds in 15.9 minutes for the Rockets in 2015.Wallace spent the offseason as a development player for the Townsville Crocodiles in the NBL playing in 2 games. BE Take: Wallace is a raw 7-footer that has still yet to find his footing in the league. He played for Rockhampton in 2015 as a replacement for Ray Turner and he struggle defensively overall for the Rockets regulating him to the bench. Spending the offseason with the Townsville Crocs might have helped in his development but it’s still early to judge on that. Ipswich are in desperate need for some size upfront only having James Kuon so Wallace should help in different situations. It’s not a championship piece move but it’s a small step to help Ipswich compete in the improving South pool.
