QBL Player Interviews: Round 2
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Week 2 Player Interviews are online. This week we have Toowoomba Mountaineers imports Erron Maxey and Logan Thunder centre Mitch Young.
Toowoomba Mountaineers forward/centre Erron Maxey How was your offseason?
I did not have much of an off season. After playing for the Mountaineers. I returned home for a few weeks before I went to Uruguay to play in the LUB, which is their top league. The league is solid and one of the better leagues in South America.
What areas of your game have you been working on?
The areas of my game that I have been working on are my ball handling and 3 point shot. However, at the same time, I have also worked on my mid range jumper and post game.
Given that you are one of the older players in the league how do you prepared from a physical and mental standpoint?
Being one of the older players in the league, I am constantly asked how do I prepare physically and mentally. From the physical side of things, I make sure that I eat right, get as much rest as possible and train hard with weights. It is all about balance. As for the mental side of things, I am student of the game and I continue to ask questions to be able to learn more which helps my basketball IQ continue to grow.
Describe to us about how has your teams off season moves?
The Mountaineers off season moves have been great! We have a young group of guys who are eager to learn the game as well as put in the time to improve both on and off the court. They are hard workers and even though they are young, they have been able to gel perfectly with our returning players which makes us a force to reckon with!
How was the game vs. South West, We know there was a lot of drama with you and Chris Whitehead being ineligible to play, how hard was it to watch from the side lines? The game with Southwest was a difficult one for the team. Finding out with 3 minutes before tip off that Chris and I could not play because we were not cleared was difficult for everyone. From my team's side of things, it was a huge change for our thought process because we believed that our whole team was going to play. The fact that it was a last second change threw off our chemistry and made things difficult for our locals to find their rhythm. Chris and I had a difficult time watching because we wanted to be out on the court with our teammates and help them battle, however, rules are the rules. The feelings were nothing short of feeling as if you're letting your brothers down.
On this weekend’s crucial vs.Townsville, what you guys need to do to those W’s ?
For Townsville, we need to make sure that we control the rebounds, play tough defense and trust our sets on offense.
On your team chances for the 2016 QBL season?
Our chances for this season are great! The league is wide open and we have to improve every week to be able to have a chance to win the league.
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Logan Thunder Forward Mitch Young
How was your offseason being so far? I spent 5 weeks in the states after NBL got done. I missed most of the Logan preseason so the last few weeks I have been working hard to get ready for QBL.
What areas of your game have you been working on?
I have been working hard in the gym… Aiming to get bigger, stronger, faster. Working individually with our Coach Derek Rucker on shooting and skill development.
Describe to us about how has your team has improved over the offseason?
We have added some pieces with Mick, JB and Dan. JB is very skilled at 6’8 and his ability to stretch the floor makes life easier for me. Mick obviously has a ton of NBL experience and is great to play with. Dan Sepokas is very talented and will surprise a lot of people this year. Then we return my fellow Logan junior the "Lebanese Mamba” Tom Ammar who has been playing and training as good as I have ever seen him. We have definitely improved. I feel the talent of the whole league has improved and should make for some great games.
Tell us playing and training for Derek Rucker?
Derek has been great for us. He brings a wealth of experience and basketball knowledge. He has a feel for the league after taking Gladstone on a playoff run last year. He is a players coach and I have enjoyed working with him so far.
How was the game vs. Bundaberg, describe to us what happened in the game from a team and personal perspective?
It was our first game of the season on our home court. We came out hungry. It was great to see all of the guys on our roster contribute to the win.
On this weekend’s crucial roadtrip vs. Rockhampton and Mackay, what you guys need to do to those W’s?
The CQ road trip is one of the toughest on the QBL schedule. Both Rocky and Mackay have great QBL programs. It is a good challenge for us to see where we are at early on in the season.
Signing with the Brisbane Bullets and your goals with the team for 2016-17?
Signing with the Bullets is a dream come true for me. Something I have wanted to do since I started playing basketball at Logan. I hope all the basketball fans in South East Queensland get behind the team and make the Bullets a success.
On your team chances for the 2016 QBL season?
We will be right in the mix this year. As I said the level of talent in the league has gone up. It will make for exciting games.EndFragment
Thanks for partcipating and all the best to your season...
