QBL Round 2: Coaches Interviews

StartFragment

Gladstone Port City Power Women's Head Coach Raymond Cooper

On the team’s offseason and personel moves?

we didn't really get to have an offseason due to the availability of players but we are working hard and starting to gel and get used to each other so it hasn't effected us too much.

On the team’s opening win vs Rockhampton, how did the game unfold and what positives u take out of it?

The game in Rocky was a 40 minute grind. We didn't give up, not even when we were 15 points down and in the end it just came down to who could fight for the longest.

On your early impressions of the league in 2016?

The north pool is anyone's game this year. Obviously Rocky will be strong with their imports but all the teams are so strong this year that teams will cause upsets all year

On this weekend’s roadtrip game vs. Gold Coast and vs. South West, what are the keys to beating both of them

Saturday night will be about shutting down gold coast's big players and grinding it out against another quality team. With players missing again this weekend our Sunday game will be able be able to last 40 minutes with a limited amount of players

On your team predictions for 2016 season?

EndFragment

We more than proved ourselves last week against Rocky but with strong teams all throughout the competition we will have to really work to go the distance this year. I'm confident my team has the ability and desire to be in playoff contention again this year

Townsville Heat Head Coach Rodney Anderson

On the team’s offseason and personel moves?

The most underrated signing of the season for us was getting Greg Vanderjagt into running the QBL program. He has done an amazing job or bringing professionalism to Heat & Flames, getting out and signing new sponsors, the stands were almost full for the 1st game and there is a real buzz at Mix 106.3 Stadium.

We were 2nd last in 3pt% last year so clearly the signings of Mirko Djeric & Peter Crawford were going to fix that and I'm stoked with how hard they have gone on the practice floor. Mirko is super competitive and expect him and his team mates to be on the highest level. PC is just a great leader; when he speaks to the group, they listen. Josh Wilcher has been a really underrated signing. He could be in the NBL if he didn't choose to play in England for the last few years. He's a great passer and will quietly kill you if you don't watch out.

On the team’s opening win vs Cairns, how did the game unfold and what positives u take out of it?

Our opening win was really good but we understand they were undermanned. We're not getting too far ahead of ourselves. Yes it is a good home win, yes it's always great to beat Cairns and yes we desperately wanted to start the year of on the right foot, but Cameron Tragardh makes them a very different team. Oh and we probably won't go 10/13 from 3 in the 2nd half again.

On your early impressions of the league in 2016?

The QBL this season is just living up to what I've been saying for a few years now... Our league is on par with SEABL for the nations best. Every team seems to have improved, especially the south teams. It looks like they're sick of Northern teams winning but we'll be doing everything we can to keep that streak going.

On this weekend’s roadtrip game vs. Toowoomba and vs. Ipswich, what are the keys to beating both of them?

This weekend will be a really tough one for us. We know Toowoomba will be pissed about not being able to play their imports last night and will bring it against us. Ipswich beat us on our home floor last year so they'll be pretty confident. Mick Conlon is a very good coach so he'll have a great game plan for us, no doubt.

We are looking forward to the weekend to try continue on our winning ways and keep building momentum. I love an early road trip just to get the guys that early opportunity to gel as a group. Should be fun!

On your team predictions for 2016 season?

EndFragment

I think we have a really good opportunity to build on a really solid 2015 season and push towards the playoffs. I think we've got a really tough schedule with a fair few tough games coming up and then 5 games in 8 days during July, so if we can get through that in fairly good shape and stay injury free we should be ok.

With the Crocs gone now, we really want to represent all of the junior basketballers in Townsville the best way possible. The guys are really passionate about being part of the basketball community and if crowds keep building on what we had on opening night, the full house sign could go up pretty soon.

EndFragment