QBL Men Season Previews - Logan Thunder
2015 Season 2015 W/L: 5-12 (2014 W/L: N/A) Missed Playoffs Coaching Staff Head Coach: Derek Rucker (1st Year) Roster Transactions In: Justin Baker, Michael Cedar, Daniel Sepokas Out: Heath Gameren, Steven Broom, Tafutu Nuku, Zachary Vey-Johnson, Ethan Gameren, Jesse Ghee Projected Starters: Daniel Sepokas, Michael Cedar, Tom Ammar, Justin Baker, Mitch Young Key Bench: Sean Carroll, Simon Taylor, Kyle Kiernan, Jared Thompson,
Key Gains
Justin Baker: Was a key player for Derek Rucker’s Gladstone team were he averaged a double-double. His outside shooting and rebounding should be an upgrade over the retiring Steve Broom and should form a strong frontcourt partnership with Mitch Young and Tom Ammar.
Michael Cedar: Cedar has been one of the premium shooting guards for a number of years, and is familiar with Rucker’s coaching system. While Kyle Keirnan had his moments for Logan, Cedar provides the Thunder that key unrestricted player that can elevate Thunder into a championship contender, while allowing Keirnan to be more effective from the bench Key Losses Heath Gameren: Gameren’s ability to create and height made him difficult player to guard in the QBL, but never seem to put it all together. Injuries sideline him for the majority of 2015 and with off basketball commitments he eventually retired.
Position by Position Analysis
Guard: Daniel Sepokas and Michael Cedar give the Thunder a brand new backcourt. Sepokas is a former Waratah League MVP and had a good showing in SEABL for Albury-Wodonga. Cedar is a former QBL MVP and is re-united with this former coach. Those transactions have given Logan a bit more depth in the bench with sharpshooter Kyle Keirnan, and former SEABL Championship winning point guard Sean Carroll. Simon Taylor can provide offense if given the opportunity. Forward: In the pair of Justin Baker and Tom Ammar they get a quality pair of inside/outside players that can impact on the game. Baker averaged a double-double last year and was a huge factor in Gladstone resurgence in 2015. Ammar is a veteran guard with international experience and having him from the start of the season will help.
Center: NBL bigman Mitch Young returns for another season in Logan. He wasn’t properly utilised under Ben Johnson and I feel his a centre that Rucker would have loved to have in Gladstone. Not much depth after that with Jared Thompson and it might come to adding players mid-season to address the lack of backup bigs.
Does Rucker have the squad to challenge Brisbane as top team in the Central Pool This year Central pool is getting stronger with the improvement done to Logan and Sunshine Coast Phoenix. On paper Logan should have a strong claim for While Logan has a strong starting lineup that could challenge Brisbane, their lack of backup bigs is a bit of a concern. Logan has definitely improved and with a better coach in the driver’s seat they should challenge for the top spot in the Central pool. Where they can do it over an established team like Brisbane, time will tell. What gets Logan into the playoffs?
Improved play from Mitch Young and Tom Ammar. Daniel Sepokas develops into a dependable point guard. Justin Baker and Micheal Cedar bring the same level of skill as in Gladstone. Derek Rucker brings better coaching to Thunder. Improved play from bench.
What gets Logan out of the playoffs? Injuries and player unavailability hamper Thunder like last season, Sepokas struggles in the point guard spot and Rucker receives little to no help from this backup guards. Lack of backup bigs to assist Young or Baker.
