QBL Men Season Previews - Sunshine Coast Phoenix
2015 Season 2015 W/L: 5-11 (2014 W/L: 6-10) as Suncoast Clippers Missed Playoffs Coaching Staff Head Coach: Warrick Meehl Roster Transactions In: Jorden Page, Zane Meehl, Eric McAlister, Lester Ferguson, Malakai Mitchell, John Janssen Out: Eren Moses, Mike Stone, Tavita Karika, Ben Harris, Connor Ward, Projected Starters: Jordan Page, Zane Meehl, Darren Best, Eric McAlister, Lester Ferguson Key Bench: Zeke Meehl, Josh Walters, Ben Bergen, John Janssen, Nelson Kahler
Key Gains
Jorden Page: Home grown talent that was heavily rumoured to join the defending champion, but Sunshine Coast Phoenix ended up with his signature. While his had injury concerns that shorten his collegiate career at Saint Mary’s, if healthy he has the talent to be one of the top point guards in the competition
Lester Ferguson / Eric McAlister: They are not your prototypical imports that Meehl would normally get, but both bigs fill a glaring need for Phoenix: height, rebounding and inside presence. Warrick Meehl has a knack of getting quality imports in recent times (Winston Robinson, Khalil McDonald) so I expect that one of them will payoff huge. Key Losses Mike Stone: Stone was their best player for last year, averaging 17.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 32.9 minutes a game. But a lack of three point shooting and the team overall direction to go with local guards more familiar with returning coach Meehl, meant that Stone services were not required.
Position by Position Analysis
Guard: One of the better guard rotations in the league. Page and Zane Meehl should form a promising backup that is capable of scoring lights out. Zane is a former league MVP and has tons of experience playing in New Zealand. That would allow Josh Walters to come off the bench and his explosive scoring would make him the perfect fit for Phoenix and the top candidate for sixth man of the year. Zeke Meehl and Michael Goff should provide lots of experience off the bench. Forward: Darren Best returns and should be joined by Eric McAlister. McAlister spent time in France and can bang in the inside. Ben Bergen should be a good sparkplug off the bench is joined by veteran Malakai Mitchell, who return after a year off and Johnathan Janssen, a promising prospect that spent time in Cleveland State University
Center: Ferguson is a veteran import that has spent time in the German lower divisions. He should provide in theory rebounding and post scoring. Moving Nelson Kahler to the bench will definitely solidify the bench, Kahler has relished in his junior year at college becoming a defensive presence
What do you make of the imports?
Not your ideal Warrick Meehl type of import combination, (always get an import guard) but they fill a glaring need that Suncoast/Maroochydore have seen to always struggle inside. Ferguson spend time this season for German three division outfit Itzehoe and averaged 6.5 points (47.8% from the three) and 4.2 rebounds in 15.5 minutes per game. McAlister out of Stony Brook University spent time in Denmark and most recently for French third division outfit Vitre where he averages 5.9 points and 3.9 rebounds in 15.5 minutes a game. While neither stats scream QBL success, I trust that Warrick Meehl has enough experience in this league and he knows what he is doing. It also helps that u have a promising youngster in Nelson Kahler as your fall back option.
What do you make of the new rivalry between SC Phoenix and USC Rip?
I believe it will invigorate the Phoenix. Talking to people in the region they seem to think that SC Phoenix wants to prove a point to their newest cross town rivals that the Phoenix is the top dog in sunshine coast basketball. They seemed to prove that by managing to keep their majority of their local players and outbid the defending QBL champions Mackay for Jorden Page services, which is not an easy feat.
What gets Sunshine Coast Phoenix into the playoffs?
Jorden Page is healthy. Zane Meehl is fit and back to his best. Their imports are solid inside and can play defence. Improved play from their bench. Warrick Meehl being of his coaching best. They play more consistent performance week in and week out as oppose to last season’s team
What gets Sunshine Coast Phoenix out of the playoffs? Either Page or Zane Meehl struggle in the return to QBL, through fitness or form. Imports struggle to perform. Inconsistency issue continue to hamper the team.
