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Corletto switches sides

Marcus Timmons suits up in D2M

+ Brian Vaughns on Coaching: What’s his philosophy? + We say goodbye to two Victorian basketballing greats + Why should we watch Geelong Cats D1M

February 2010 CONTENTS ON THE COVER Also inside

6 WHY CORLETTO CHANGED 3 HOOPS SCOOPS STRIPES Latest Australian Basketball Why a long-term Tiger made the news. What’s happening over switch and will play as a Hawk. seas, the NBL and WNBL draw to a close 7 RISING STAR: NICK JONES Another defector, last year’s 11 WHY SHOULD WE WATCH YOU? SCM rising star Nick Jones is Geelong Cats head coach about to commence playing in Shayne Bow, sheds a little his new home. light on his line-up for 2010.

9 FINE IMPORTED GOODS 14 COACH’S CORNER Who have been the best We speak with new Hume imports of all time? City lady’s coach, Brian Vaughns. 12 MARCUS TIMMONS LANDS IN MCKINNON A look back at a fine career and how the man will influence the Big V D2M

Let’s play ball Talks of ’s underpinning league (UPL) are progressing with the main focus on the structure and potential representation from each It’s all systems go for season 2010 and I for one can state. The March meeting of the working party is set hardly contain my enthusiasm. Let’s look at the to produce a concept paper for approval of the BA stats? 10 divisions, 39 clubs, 97 teams, 152 referees, Board. 955 regular season games, 1600 players. They don’t This in turn will be issued to the states and call us Big V for nothing! consultation from all interested parties will begin. As I’m proud to report that Big V is the first league in you know, Big V have registered their strong interest the country to trial an online clearance system. So to be involved in the process and I’ll keep you far it has been embraced by all of our clubs and is informed as the situation develops. providing a simple paper-free membership trail for So I hope to see you out and about at Big V venues your players. We’ve also gone with online throughout the state. If you do see me, make sure registrations for the first time which has been an easy you say gidday! transition for both players and club administrators. For the first time, our clubs are in control of their own membership and it’s all contained in one central Until next time, point. Now, a player’s immediate history is searchable and when the historical stats project is Darryl Neal completed later in the year, so too will the entire league history be searchable. Big V President Darryl Neal — Big V Basketball President

Big V Basketball overtime February 2010 3 hoopscoops NBL Grand Final Aussie March Madness

coverage wide With March Madness approaching in US College schools. Hoops, Aussie A.J. Ogilvy holds perhaps our best The Diamond Valley product was initially a Although this year will be the first NBL Grand hopes for some ESPN action with his Vanderbilt student of Indiana, but he moved to ’s old Final without a Victorian presence in a very long Commodores knocking on the door. school, St. Mary’s, who seem to have an Aussie fetish time, I’m sure plenty of you will still be keen to Although his numbers are down this year slightly, with five players in their roster, including the take a look at who will hold the triphy aloft. the Commodores are looking to cruise into the Nunawading prepped who’s If you don’t have Foxtel and aren’t interested in tournament again this year and shake things up. filling Patty’s shoes more than aptly, averaging 12.1 finding a venue, or a mate who does, you may not Last year they were knocked out in the first round, ppg and 4.7 assists. have to. Word on the street is it’s getting a run live but they could go deeper this year with a number of The Gonzaga hurdle ain’t going away for the Gaels online on Fiba TV. seniors hitting their straps. however and if they want to feature in the Obviously there’s no substitue for seeing the Ogilvy, a solid unit at 6’10”-ish and with some tournament, that’s who they’ll need to get above. action on the home big screen, and Foxtel’s quickness and strength is proving a leader on the To the ladies now and two Big V players from last coverage has been expanded and warmly floor as well, an enticing proposition for clubs in the year hitting the college hardwood are Bec Campigli received this year by fans, even with the US and no doubt Europe. and Ash Vella from the Tigers. downsizing of the competition. Last week he had the chance to hit the game Bec Campigli averaged 10 points and four boards Many may have forgotten that this year was winner against Kentucky, with a runner from the top in the Big V last year. Although not getting a heap of Basketball Australia’s first real crack and it’s been a of the paint, but misfired. His response: “I can make court action thus far she is hitting the floor for a few successful campaign — it’s received good that shot eight out of 10. Unfortunately, today was mintes in most games, a sign the coaches want her coverage, a solid following, a tight race which one of the two I missed.” to develop and let’s hope she can build. went, and continues to go down to the wire and He went on to have 27 against Mississippi and was Ash Vella has been impressing at Idaho state something substantial now to build on. perfect from the stripe in the last four minutes (8-8), University. Averaging 7.4 points and and 5.7 boards, At time of writing, Perth have advanced to the showing his quality down the stretch. There’ll be Ash, who averaged 11 points and five boards in the final, now we just wait on Townsville and more than just hoop fans watching his progress in Big V last year is proving quite a nice prospect for the Wollongong, and some announcements for the the coming weeks; let’s hope he brings his A-game. future. seasons ahead. Melbourne born and raised prospect Ben Allen Eltham Wildcat Jessica Bearzatto is looking to Plenty of talk about Sydney and Brisbane, has turned his college career around this season, establish a Division II name for herself also. another Melbourne team, even another New going from a couple points a game to a 10 points Zealand outfit: time will tell. and seven rebounds average, since changing Bogut robbed of All-star Jersey

I’m not even going to pretend that I’m not biased here, but thankfully even though his numbers were average compared to Bogut’s. Coach Van Gundy who helmed the Eastern conference squad in this year’s Horford is averaging 13.3 points and 9.5 boards, but the Hawks NBA All-star game, agrees with me — probably deserved are sitting prettier than Milwaukee. an All-star jersey. While he was disappointed for his starting centre, Milwaukee Averaging 15.9 points and 10.3 rebounds at the time (this has gone up coach Scott Skiles understands the reasons Horford was chosen since then) Stan Van Gundy said Andrew Bogut should’ve been in the ahead of Bogut. game, and for good reason. “Andrew’s numbers are better, but when a guy is a starting centre “He’s probably more of a true centre than a lot of the other guys that on a (winning team), it’s hard to argue against it. people have talked about at that position,” Van Gundy told the Milwaukee In other NBA news, found some touch recently, Journal Sentinal. posting an 18 point, seven game against Utah. He picked off a “I don’t think there is any question that he is an All-star calibre guy.” couple of steals as well. Second in the league in blocked shots, tenth in the league in rebounds, In the same week, he grabbed a season-high 11 boards against Indiana 12th in the league in double-doubles, Bogut’s own coach Scott Skiles in what was perhaps his most productive week this year. Let’s hope he believes the snub was due to the Bucks’ win and loss column, which can keep giving Houston those kinds of numbers to keep his value high stands below .500. ahead of next year. Since then, Bogut has more than proven he’s worthy, claiming 24 Across the Atlantic now and to Europe, where is points and 20 boards in addition to five blocked shots against — and this making Spanish headlines. A 21 point, 10 rebound game has given is the best bit — David Lee and the Knicks, who was picked ahead of him ex-South Dragon championship player Joe Ingles’ Player of the for the All-star game. Week honours for CB Granada in the tough ACB Spanish League. “When coaches vote, they take into account guys on winning The recognition is huge for Joe, who not so long ago was sniffing teams more than guys on other teams,” Skiles said. around for some work in the NBA. With the World Championships “I don’t have any problem with anybody doing that.” not far away, he’ll be wanting to show his quality to ensure he gets Atlanta big man Al Horford was named to the All-Star bench, plenty of floor time.

4 Big V Basketball overtime February 2010 NBL: Tigers stumble A disappointing end to the NBL season opens the door to a new era for Melbourne basketball.

After a promising run in the second half of the 2009/10 NBL season, the Tigers Postives to come out of the season were many however. We have seen the succumbed to a string of losses late in the season to end their season. emergence of Daniel Johnson who really stood up after his dominant Big V It was a gallant run but for the wounded Tiger outfit,who were still in the hunt season last year. even after their horrific start — how many losses can a squad have under three In the absence of Anstey, DJ’s numbers were in the vicinity of 15 and 10, points before getting a win — a late decline has lead to a mass exodus of sorts. something that Al Westover appreciates and acknowledges. With Anstey and MacKinnon hanging up the hi-tops, captain He provided spark off the bench when Anstey returned and became a lot more has also made his intentions clear for his future, and booked a ticket for a confident throwing his body around. Versitility is a big part of the game and we European vacation, to try his luck in that lucrative hooping market place. can expect big movements from him. “Worthington is already in Germany from what I understand, and there’s going O’Hea may not have had as much playing time as names like Greer but he was to be a lot of changes,” Corletto told us. never shy when he hit the floor. We were also given the opportunity to see the “It’s going to be a young and pretty exciting team next year, something I’ve talent and potential of Bennie Lewis, who got a decent run for perhaps the first never been involved in as I’ve always had the older veterans around me, leading time also this past NBL season, who is expected to really step up in the coming the way. Hopefully if I do re-sign with the Tigers I can take on more of a leadership Big V season. He was another one who really utilised the few minutes he had on role with them and be one of those verterans on the team. But it is going to be a the floor, never passing up the opportunity to fire a few shots up or attack the young team by the sounds of it.” basket. We’ll be watching closely come next month.

WNBL: Boomers looking the goods But a showdown awaits

Amid the fanfare of Lauren Jackson’s return to the WNBL, The Bulleen Boomers have gritted their teeth and qualified for this year’s Grand Final. Going 21 and one thus far, the Boomers need to be full of confidence heading into the sudden death game, where they will face off against the winner of Canberra Capitals and Sydney Flames at The Cage in Melbourne. Having already lost to Sydney this season, Bulleen proved they are not going to let this opportunity slip easily, demolishing the Flames in the Semi finals. Success has already reached the Boomers with Sharin Milner picking up Golden Hands accolades while Liz Cambage secured Leading Rebound and Best Percentage on the season. Now they must wait for this week’s result: ABC will televise the preliminary final game live on free-to- air TV from 1pm this Saturday. The prospect of facing off with Lauren Jackson’s Capitals excites the Bulleen camp but it may not be the last time, with Jackson recently expressing a desire to keep playing at home in Australia. “After this season I will be heading back to America to live in Seattle and play for the Storm in the WNBA,” Jackson told The Daily Telegraph.“But if I can get another contract — a big contract — here in Australia I’d be home in a heartbeat. If Canberra can come up with the money I’d stay. “The people I work with at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra have been unbelievable. They’ve really guided me, guided [Opals and Capitals head coach] Carrie Graf to help me become a better basketballer. I love Australia.”

Big V Basketball overtime February 2010 5 Why Corletto changed stripes After a solid NBL season, and with Melbourne’s Big V side looking to field a younger line-up, Corletto was looking for a new home. Right away, he looked at Ringwood who are looking to become quick favourites — you guys said so yourselves on BigV.com.au. We caught up with last year’s Grand Final MVP about the change.

didn’t start thinking about Ringwood and the Big V until I knew that the NBL was done, and we were right in there until the last round of the season. So it’s only been the last few weeks that I’ve been able to start planning. I’ve had a run with the boys and started learning their offenses. I’ve been running the shuffle offense for about 13 years so to come in and learn a new offense is pretty difficult. But it’s going to be okay — should be a lot of fun. I know a lot of the guys out there so I can’t wait to play for them. Kenny lets them get out there and do their own thing so it’s going to be a fun way to play.

Is he still trying to get involved at practise and get a few shots up himself? He talks up a good game — talks up his jumpshot a lot. I actually saw him shoot the ball last night for the first time: it didn’t look too bad. But he definitely talks it up so I’m hoping that we have a few trainings where we only have nine so he can lace up the boots and get out there.

Last year you guys played as enemies — you gave Ken a few sleepless nights leading up to the GF— how’s it going to be playing on the other side? It was strange playing against Ringwood last season as, like I said, I’ve got a lot of mates there. Changing over this year, if I thought that felt awkward it’s definitely going to feel awkward playing against Melbourne, when I haven’t played against them for about eight years now. I’ve had Al coaching me for about, what, 12 years now, so it’s going to be very strange but, the Tigers are running with a young team

Darryl Corletto is not one to shy away from big moments. This past NBL season he made some big-moment buckets — from beyond the arc and with his signature running floater. We saw his ability to deliver in tough moments in last season’s Big V Grand Final, where he took the MVP award for the series where he dominated from all over the floor. But recently, he had another tough decision to make and it was one that was to be made off the floor. After Melbourne decided to field a younger line-up for the coming SCM season, Darryl was looking for a new home. Despite offers coming thick and fast, from Big V and SEABL, Corletto was as swift and decisive as he is on court, signing with Ringwood who will be looking to make ammends on last season’s disappointing Grand Final result.

When did talks start happening with Ringwood? I reckon about a month or two ago. When the Tigers said that we were free to do what we want, I thought that Ringwood would be the best club suited to me. They’ve been asking me for about five or six years so I thought they would be my best choice. It’s all worked out and I can’t wait mate, it’s about a month out from the season.

Yeah, there’s not much rest for you. How do you feel coming off the end of the NBL season — you had a pretty good year? Yeah, it was disappointing from a team standpoint but individually I had a pretty good season, which was pleasing. It was one of those things that I really

6 Big V Basketball overtime February 2010 and getting a lot of the young guys developed. It was just time for us older guys to Yeah, it’s a school holiday clinic, Corletto Sports and it’s our first one these move on and let guys like Bo Westover and Robbie Stoner step up — they’re going to school holidays. Tuesday 30 and Wednesday 31 March, out at Yarra Valley get to play 30-35 minutes a game instead of five or 10 minutes. But it will be strange. Grammar in Ringwood. It’s a basketball and netball clinic, where she’s going to have the majority of the Melbourne Vixens there coaching the kids and I’ll have a Are you expecting any ribbing from those guys? few of the Tigers boys down there, coaching the kids. It’s hopefully going to be No, not at all. Like I said, I’m good mates with those guys and it wasn’t my choice something that we’ll keep going every holidays. There’s more info at www. to leave — the Tigers wanted to go young and they want to promote the young corlettosports.com.au. guys. If I sign with the Tigers NBL team, their preseason starts in June, so I’ll be training aongside the Big V guys as they train with the NBL team during their So is anything less than a championship an under-achievement for you guys? preseason, so it might be a bit strange if I’m training with them four days a week I think so. I mean, you’ve got Luke McMillan still there, who was last year’s MVP, and end up playing against them in the finals. But I’ll know what they run so that they’ve got big raps on their other import, Kevin (Ratzsch). He’s over in Ireland at might come in handy (laughs). the moment — I think hes averaging over 30 points at the moment, shooting 75 per cent from the field as a 6’7” swingman. There aren’t many of those in the How was Al when you told him? league, it’s kind of a guard’s league so, if he’s what the stats say he is then I think He was okay — he was the one who said that we could go and do what we want we’ll be pretty tough. in the offseason, so I think deep-down he knew that if I was going to play anywhere, I’d play in Ringwood. I did have some offers to play in SEABL but Big V Who are the coaches talking about as being the dangers? was appealing to me. You don’t have to travel, you don’t have to go interstate; I have heard that Waverley have stacked their team and you can never count with Jules (wife) playing netball, I don’t want to have to travel on a Saturday night, out Melbourne and the motion they run, and Hume City is also going to be right get b ack Sunday night, she only plays seven games in Melbourne so I want to be there again. here to watch them so it’s perfect. I understand you guys have just started a development clinic together? The Hawks play their first home game against Waverley Falcons on April 10.

RISING STAR Nick Jones on the way up

With a family engagement keeping the young OT: How’d you get involved in Hoops? gun from last year’s Big V Presentation Dinner, NJ: My older brother played so I guess through he didn’t think he would get up in the Rising him. Star Award. OT: What’s your nickname? But the texts came flooding in from his mates NJ: At Eltham it was ‘Junior’, because my older and it was done — a new name in Big V brother played there. But now the boys at Basketball was launched. Bulleen just call me ‘Jonesy’. Now he’s looking for the next step and he is trying his luck with a new club, Bulleen Boomers OT: What’s your signature move? under Arnold Gifferning, who he knows well and NJ: Probably just running really fast, getting he is hopeful he can take the next step, from a out on the fast break. rising star to a leader. “I just want to be really efficient. I want to OT: Do you have any pre-game rituals? keep my turnovers down, and not necessarily NJ: I eat a lot of lollies; that’s about it. have huge numbers but just get it done for the team,” he tells us. “We don’t have superstars as OT: What about music? such; everyone just has to pull their weight NJ: Right now a lot of Kid Cudi. together. If I can contribute and play my part, that’ll be good. “ OT: Who’s been your biggest Influence? We caught up with him. NJ: Damon Lowery, it’s been great just learning from him. He really focusses on the mental side which is what I need. OT: What was the first club you played for? NJ: I’ve been playing at Eltham since like under OT: Down by one, the buzzer’s sounded and 8s so it’s going to be a strange feeling pulling on you find yourself at the line for a pair of the blue and gold. freethrows. (Be honest) do you go:

OT: How do you think it’ll feel playing with • 0 from 2 your new club? • 1 from 2 NJ: It’s going to be real strange. My old man was • 2 from 2 holding up some of my gear and he was saying that it’s going to take a while to get used to this new NJ: Oh, shit yeah — two from two! gear.

Big V Basketball overtime February 2010 7

courtside q&a

Fine Imported Goods By The Elder Statesman

They’ve razzled, they’ve dazzled, they’ve brought so much excitement to our shores, brought new styles, knowledge and skills, but who were the best to pull on a singlet in State Basketball?

I must admit, for me this is always a good time of seen Batman and Superman over at Werribee Sports (Ringwood and Bendigo), Sean Martin (Ringwood), the year as the new season is about to begin. New Centre. Eddie Cox and Ken Henry were arguably the Nathan Dunham (Ringwood), Matt Meuneir teams, new players, old players with new teams, new most devastating import duo that the league has ever (Werribee), Lester Strong (Warrnambool and players with old teams, you get the picture. But what I seen. Eddie was the smooth shooting, super athlete Dandenong), Chris Fulton (Ringwood and Frankston), enjoy most is seeing the new imports that will who could light you up for 50 while ‘House’ Henry Walter Mitchell (Waverley), John Gilliland (Waverley), hopefully be lighting up the hardwood at a Big V was as strong as any player ever to grace our shores Scott Roberts (Ringwood and Shepparton), Superstar stadium near you. but also had a soft touch around the basket. They Mike Dizaar (Wangaratta), Ray Shirley (Sth Peninsula), It got me thinking: over the 21 years that our won MVPs, Championships and made Werribee the Easy Ed Porter (Werribee and Sth Peninsula), Corey League has been going, who have been the stand out place to be on a cold Saturday night. Beasley (Warrnambool), Ken Bosket (Warrnambool), imports that have had a serious impact on our sport? I Also in the 90s, Horsham had a string of imports Ryan Pepper (Shepparton), Scott Vaughan (Sth have put a bit of work in and here are some thoughts that made the night before the game a sleepless one Peninsula), Thalo Green (Tigers), David Falknor — let me know if you agree. if you had to defend them. Curtis Hunter (6’6” (Shepparton), Ricky Daniels (Gippsland and Bendigo), Forward) played with Michael Jordan at North Jesse Ratliff (Gippsland and Ballarat) …sorry, I got to Carolina and put up some crazy numbers for the stop but there are countless others that certainly Hornets. Curtis could go inside or outside and oozed deserved a mention. class even when challenged physically. He usually I think looking back you can see how the import made you pay big time. Horsham also boasted a connection has been such a big part of how pocket rocket and scoring machine that is still getting Basketball has developed and assisted in the growth it done at Championship level at Eltham. Damon of our League. This year I am looking forward to Lowery exploded onto the scene with his flat top hair seeing if Kevin Ratzsch can be as effective as Sam Belt cut and explosive scoring ability. Lowery had scoring was for the Hawks while Hume City have a new games into the 70s and I recall one team boasting monster in the middle with Brad Bridgewater that they held him to 45 in a game. replacing Ian Crosswhite. Sedale Threatt Jr is back in I guess the first real big name import we had was the league with Waverley and will also be an exciting Howard Spencer. Spencer was a 6’8” athlete of the commodity. At Melbourne keep an eye on young likes we had never seen before with a killer instinct Bennie Lewis, if he’s anything like his dad Bennie that really started all the basketball excitement in Lewis senior (Altona and a host of NBL Clubs) he will the CVIBL. be smooth, athletic and explosive. Bring it on. In 1999, the Ringwood Hawks recruited a 6’3 that resulted in their first senior Championship. Ryan Miller (Northern State) proved unstoppable in the VBL averaging 39 points per game, 10 rebounds and seven assists and has since made Basketball a career as Assistant Coach at Nationally ranked New Mexico. Make no mistake, I am no idiot: the first name that Two teams that no longer participate in the Big V is coming out of my mouth is one Bobby Cunningham also had some incredible imports that were well (Warrnambool, Sandringham and Diamond Valley) worth the price of admission. Swan Hill had three who was a New York College star and Division II All- remarkable players in a two year period that would all American. It did not matter what level of Big V you be considered as good as we have seen. Wayne played, everyone knew who Bobby was and it was no Howell, Derek Leak (both Swan Hill and Knox) and surprise that when his Seahawks travelled to Cleo Hill did not play in the league for very long but if Melbourne, the local crowds grew substantially. Back you saw them you would never forget. Leak averaged in the ‘Bool, Bobby had the ol’ Tinhouse packed to the about five alley oops per game and really played the rafters and to watch him stand on the court for up to game at 12 feet from the floor. Wangaratta boasted 30 minutes after every game signing autographs was some serious talent with names like Derek Howell, a small indication of the positive effect he had on Des McCumbee and former Villanova point guard Basketball. At 6’5 with a power forward’s body, point Kenny Wilson. guard’s skills and mentality, Bobby would easily I could write forever and I am missing names but complete triple doubles that read something like 40, my memory is starting to fade. How about some of 20 and 14. Word has it that Bobby will again be taking these names to bring back some memories. Tom his rightful spot as a Seahawk in 2010. Gussen (Shepparton and Mildura), Ronnie Ryer If you go back to the early 1990s, you may have (Mildura, Knox, Sth Peninsula), Derek Sanders

Big V Basketball overtime February 2010 9 inside story Farewell two of the finest Bursting onto the scene in the early to mid-nineties, and have carried the basketball torch in Australia with consumate professionalism. So it was fitting that they bowed out together, held aloft by teammates.

Two of Victorian basketball’s giants, Chris He was drafted in the first round (18th pick) of I remember MacKinnon sending a Grant Hill J Anstey and Sam MacKinnon have ended their the NBA draft by Portland before being traded to in the post back down his throat at the Atlanta careers and with it left a gaping hole in the Dallas where he had a solid rookie season games. It was one of the rare occassions a basketball landscape. It’s a cliché, there’s no boasting just under six points and four boards in Boomer embarrassed a bonafide Superstar — doubt about it, but when you consider what 16.6 minutes floor time. He played with the Bulls remembering that in 1996, Grant Hill was the these two guys have offered the game in the last before his NBA career ended in 2000 — 155 next big thing. decade and a half, it’s hard to see where else games, 23 starts and averages of 5.4 points and MacKinnon went on to have more than an we’re going to see the highlight reel filled. 3.4 boards. impressive career locally, picking up NBL Rookie Take the most recent NBL season for a little bit He then embarked on a stellar European of the Year honours in 1994 for the South East of evidence — Melbourne found themselves at career in Russia before heading back to the NBL. Melbourne Magic. He became a dominant player four and 10 before Anstey stepped back on the He was a member of the Australian Under 22 almost instantly in the NBL, leading the Magic to floor. From there the team found themselves 10 squad that won gold at the Junior World the 1996 championship in one of the most brutal and 13 with a couple of rounds to go. He was Championships and was named tournament finals series in history against the Tigers. instrumental in that revival, knocking triples, MVP, he was named Australian International In 1999, he moved to Townsville at a time crashing the boards, throwing that 7’0” frame Player of the Year in 2002, picked up two NBL when Melbourne basketball was going through like only he can. MVPs, an NBL Best Defensive Player Award and considerable change. But his value stems back a little further than was part of three NBL Championship winning He led them to a Grand Final in 2001 but this season. He joined the Tigers in 1994 before squads. missed due to injury. He then signed with West doing the unthinkable and moving to South East MacKinnon burst onto the Australian Sydney and led them to the Grand Final as well Melbourne not long after. It proved to be a good basketball scene as a highlightBig package Name waiting where they column lost to cross-town rivals, the Goorjian decision, picking up Most Improved Player to happen. He was known as Sam ‘Dunk’ led . MacKinnon was puttting up accolades in 1996. MacKinnon: maybe white men can jump. career best numbers at the time and talk was

10 Big V Basketball overtime February 2010 starting to emerge about some NBA prospects. They didn’t eventuate and he then moved to Brisbane and led them in 2007 all the way to their first championship in 20 years, when he became the first player in history to win the League MVP, Best defensive Player and Finals MVP all in one season. Like Anstey, he was named Australian International Player of the Year — his was in 2006 — and when the announcement was made that he would suit up again with Chris Anstey when he returned to Melbourne to play for the Tigers, there was plenty of buzz. Although injury kept him off the floor in the 2008/2009 season, the two were able to suit up together again this year. Obviously it didn’t all go to script, but seeing them end their careers where they started, on Melbourne floorboards and in the same jersey has been an appropriate end to two great careers.

Why should we watch you? Geelong D1M

They were the peoples choice for this season: We catch up with coach Shayne Bow.

What can we expect from the Geelong brand of ball? anyway. saying, but I think Sunbury is the team that they are Hard defense. That’s what we are going to trying to gauge themselves on. They’re the concentrate on. Our offense will be very basic. What about offensively? yardstick if you want to call it that, and they’re Trying to stop teams from scoring. We are really looking to get into a transition saying that Southern Peninsula are always tough — game and push the ball up the floor and keep they bring an import in, and I’m just going in with You talk about a basic offense. That would imply kicking it around. We’ve got some good shooters the mentality that every game is hard. I’ll be saying that you’ll rely on the talent of some of the there as well. at the end of the year it’s a very hard league, and members in your squad. Can you mention any that’s what you want. names in the line-up? Has the shortened quarters affected the way you See Geelong at home on April 10 against the Yes, probably Chris Brown, Paul Hutchison will be might have approached the coming season? Hawthorn Magic. our main blokes that we’ll go to and we’ve just I’ve been out of coaching: I only coached under recruited Van Der Klooster an ex-Supercat too. 18s up until 2000. So I haven’t coached anything Geelong-wise since. I can only talk from an outsider These guys will form the leadership group? looking in, but I think it’ll mean that your bigs who Yep. Hutchy has been appointed captain and are a little bit slower will play out the game more, Chris Brown has been appointed vice-captain. because they won’t need a break or they’ll need only a little break. And if you work it well, you can Defensively, what’s going to be the strategy? Any give them a quick sub before the quarter, and then press? A lot of denial D? they’ve got the actual break after the quarter as No, we just want to be hard, straight up man-to- well. I think it’ll be alright. If you’ve got 12 players man. We might play some zone, depending on the it’s going to be very hard to get them through. opposition, but we want to really be up in faces. We’ve got some pretty quick boys on the floor. We’ll Who are looking to be the dangers in D1M? be playing a lot of man, I think — at this stage I’m only going by what the boys have been

Big V Basketball overtime February 2010 11 Marcus Timmons lands at McKinnon

He helped spark one of the NBL’s greatest season turnarounds. With two of McKinnons veteran’s finding a home elsewhere, can Marcus Timmons ignite another fire, this time at Cougar-land?

I’m not one for bringing up old issues, but sometimes it’s important to get a few things off your chest. Allow me to relay a story: when I was in year 10, I managed to land myself a work experience gig at the Melbourne Tigers. I was a basketball fanatic and when the teachers advised us to choose a place where we may want to spend our adult days nine to five, all I wanted to do back then was play ball. So I could see nothing better than spending a week of school-time at the then ‘Court House’ training facility in Macaulay Rd in North Melbourne. I remember, on my first day, taking a walk on the training court in between a busy schedule of tiding store rooms, sweeping the foyer and making coffees for people I didn’t know and neither cared to meet. I remember seeing Al Westover jumping rope just below their 1993 championship banner, while Lanard Copeland was shooting jumpers wth Brett Jefferies. I stopped to take a look, sipping on a Coke courtside. Jefferies had sunk about 70 per cent of his shots, shooting about six Js from five spots inside the perimeter. Copeland stepped up and after draining his first three or four, clanged just about every one of his remaining attempts. After copping a ribbing from Jefferies, he turned to me and said “Hey kid, go drink your Coke somewhere else!” It wasn’t what I was expecting from a guy who I had spent some of my parents hard-earned money to go and watch on a regular basis. The other players were less brutal, but still pretty indifferent. It was growing more and more sobering by the day. A nod from Gaze and a thumbs up from Bradtke were about the highlights. On day two or three I was sitting in the board room cutting newspaper clippings for the club scrap book when Marcus Timmons strolled in and offered a “What up?” He came in and parked himself at the desk and shot the breeze with me for a good hour and a half, telling me stories about the Jazz — Stockton, Malone, Hornacek — about some of his exploits in some of the other places he’d played (he wasn’t fond of the Snake Pit) and just general hoop talk. He even took me out to the court to let me embarass myself in a little one on one. Despite being the catalyst for their turnaround place, looking to influence as many young hopefuls help but picture Marcus on the , defenders and subsequent championship that year, he carried as he could — including the Division 2 Men’s outfit. hanging off him, and the guy still sqeazing up a baby himself with a genuine approachability and a desire Beyond that, he is even going to suit up and play. J. to give a little back to the fans and the kids — Although that’s an exciting prospect for the club You can’t put a price on the type of experience something that may have been lacking elsewhere. and the competition, what it means for the Cougar and education the McKinnon players will recieve Okay, okay: so that’s a pretty long-winded way of players hoping to get a few looks on offense, it’s under the tutelage of a player of Timmons’ calibre illustrating a pretty simple point about one of the difficult to say. and at the D2 level, that’s invaluable for their better imports to hoop in our country: Marcus We chattted to Timmons not long ago for BigV. development. Timmons cares about the grass-roots. com.au and he seemed hesitant to suggest that he We caught up with Marcus to talk about all things So it’s no surprise that when he was offered the may give up the rock when his squad is looking for past — to gain a bit of a specific light on what he will Coaching Co-ordinator’s job at the McKinnon some quick points. bring to the Cougars in 2010. Cougars Basketball Club, he emmersed himself in the As he was going over his philosophy, I couldn’t courtside q&a

In ‘97, you really turned the Tigers season around playing agianst D-Mac and the Titans and we from all the great coaches and what you’ve picked — I think you started one of the greatest winning ended up winning that in a two-game series. I up — I’m now at McKinnon Basketball Association streaks in League history? ended up having a career high in that second — so all that stuff I’ve learnt, I’m trying to give that I was down in Wollongong and when I finished game at home. to the whole boys program and I think I’m doing a up there, I was about to go overseas to Italy to play. pretty good job, with what they had before. I’ve got I think it was who called How important do you think it is for people like three teams in VC and one that is in Metro 1 so I’m and told him that I got a guy down here that y’all you, who have had the career and the experience actually going pretty well in the boys program. LIke need to look at. He will fit into your structure. The that you’ve had to get involved in a league like the I said, you learn when you’re in the league for next moment I got a phone call, and I was on a Big V? 15-plus years and you know you’ve got a whole flight and came down to Melbourne and got off the Well, you establish yourself playing in the NBL knowledge there and now you have to put it down plane and Ian Jones, the manager, picked me up and after playing you hope to be able to give back and get some people around you and take it from and I came straight to training. I met Lanard to the kids. While you were playing you get to learn there. Copeland and Andrew Gaze and the whole crew and met this guy named Ray Gordan. And Ray Gordan, the first words that came out of his mouth were ‘I’m gonna test your manhood’. I was like ‘Test my manhood?’ From that day, me and Ray Gordan went at each other every day at training. I’m talking, we would come out of there with blood coming out of our nose. Scratches or whatever. We would go at each other every day at training. The Tigers were about three and 10. The guy that they had before, Jarvis Lang, he was one of my close friends in College — I used to play against him in College. When he left, I was on the squad. They signed me up the next day and we went on a 15 or 16 game winning streak.

It must have been a pretty good feeling to come into a team that was touted as the best in the country offensively? As an import, usually you want to just come in and be a leader, or something like that. I just wanted to fit in — I was like, ‘just tell me what you want me to do and I’ll do it’. After that I had a talk with Bradtke, Copeland, Andrew, Warrick Gidday, Lindsay and Al Westover and that was it. From then it just went on.

How did you rate that Tigers outfit as a team and as a unit? I put them up there because, as with any sport, if you got that veteran squad and then you’ve got that middle squad and then that young squad, that’s a good combination there. The veterans, if we’re down 15 points and we’ve got six minutes on the clock, we know we can come back and win. We can run structure and come back and win. Them guys, with Bradtke, Copeland, Gaze and all them, it don’t matter how many points you’re up, you gotta play some D to stop us, because if you don’t, we’re still going to come back at you. So I put those guys right up there as far as veteran leadership and getting games back in and taking games out.

What would you say is your number one career highlight? Well, winning those 16 game with the Tigers and then missing out on the MVP to Copeland by two points, in ‘97. Then I had a 45 point game and 20 rebounds — I think gaze was injured at that time, so it was me, Copes, Bradtke and Gidday at that time and I stepped up to score a couple of games. And then coming into the Wildcats in that same situation. They already had a good squad and I was there in 2000 and got MVP and I was

13 December 2009 Big V Basketball overtime Big V Basketball overtime February 2010 13 COACH’S CORNER Brian Vaughns tells it how it is He achieved a lot as a player, and after some success at Whittlesea, Doncaster and with the athletic program at Marribyrnong Secondary College, Brian Vaughns gets a crack at Big V SCW, in perhaps the toughest role in the league:

“We’ve lost some players from last year’s team like allowing players, especially in this unique situation they didn’t get enough. Katrina Hibbert and Sharin Milner and Belinda where there is an open forum, you get leadership Thompson. That’s a big hit to the group,” starts new from those players, but players get respect for each How do you handle a player who is really talented Hume City coach Brian Vaughns. “But in the same other too because it’s almost like a group thing and but their personality is proving a problem for the respect we do have all those remaining players that’s what I try to stress with my girls. We do this as group? returning this year, which is a positive.” a group. If we can approach it that way, that’s when I won’t say I’m a soft coach or a hard coach. I’m an Well aware of the the big scoring hit, the big the leaders step to the forefront. You’ll be surprised easy coach to get along with and I can also be a hard rebounding hit, and the big hit that has come man, I have that much going on right now with these coach to get along with. With players of that calibre, to his new squad, there is no one more well aware of girls. You come into a new situation as a coach and who are very talented but can’t work within a the importance of good leadership in this it’s not about coaching, it’s about communicating. If structured system or within a team framework, I try environment than the man himself. we’re communicating as a group, then people step my best to put them in a comfortable position. to the forefront. And right now, that group is so in That’s the most important part — making athletes How do you get the best out of the players who tuned with one another, I might say that I have five or comfortable in their surroundings. If you have a may not have had the opportunity to shine in the six leaders on that team to be honest with you; but player like that, you can always work with a player as past? What’s your approach in a new season? it’s a respected leadership from every single player. long as you make them comfortable. If you have a The way that I’ve approached it, last year’s team player who can’t get comfortable in their was very successful. They won a championship which You won’t find too many coaches that will admit to surroundings and I find that they become more or was great. But a lot of it has been looked upon as being offensively oriented, but I’ll give you the less a distruption than anything, then as a coach I will those key players that made it go. But my philosophy benefit: are you offensive or defensive oriented? make a hard decision I will go with what is best for is, wait a minute: it’s a team game. Not a single player (Laughs) I do believe that defense wins, that much the team. Because I believe if I’ve got 10 players or game, it’s not a two player game, it’s not a three is for certain. But at the same time, there are great five players that are willing to listen and willing to player game — it takes a whole squad of players. You defensive teams but if you’re not executing on learn, then I can go a whole lot further with those look at last year, if they had nine players on that offense, then even your defense can’t help you win it. players than if I had that one talented player that squad, well it took all nine of you to be successful, With that, I strongly press the defensive side of everyone caters to. Myself, I cater to no one. It not just one or two. Now is an opportunity to step up things with my teams — with this team here I can say sounds harsh, but I don’t cater to players. It’s a team even further and prove that you belong there. Not now that we’re starting to pick it up (offensively). I game and a team sport and you have to approach it only that, get your back up a little bit and defend didn’t start training until January this year because I as one group. And that’s what I referred to earlier, what you started. Because the team actually set the know girls in the past who have been subject to four with my girls, it’s actually a group thing we got going standard. And with that, I think everybody kind of or five months of training going into a five month there and as I tell them, I’m just a part of the group. I realises that and they’ve bought into it. I have a can coach, and my job is to coach you and get you to player on the team named Ellie McGlean. She was the best level I can possbly get you in, when we’re there three seasons and playing under a player like on the court, put you in the right situation to give Sharin Milner at the point position that long, again, you an opportunity to win every single game. That’s now it’s her opportunity to say, ok, I’m gonna take my job as a coach. But on the court, it has to be what I’ve learned, I’m gonna use what I got and I’m done, and it has to be done as a collective group. gonna step into that role and run the team from the And if we understand that — and then that’s the point position. But having that experience of being whole point of communicating — if we’re in three championship winning teams, well that’s a communicating enough, well that’s when you are plus for a player like that who is now ready to step successful. As a coach and as a team. into the limelight and produce. What’s your offensive mentality? You’re in a pretty unique position now with two Run baby (laughs). I have a reward mentality. For leaders stepping down: you’re going to see all defensive stops, for every defensive rebound, personalities vie for those leadership roles. Are you every opportunity that we create, we must reward the kind of coach that selects a player for that role ourselves on offense. I can tell you this much right and deliver it, or do you sit back and let that happen now: if you take that philosophy and make teams by itself? pay for missed shots, turnovers, whatever the case I am a believer in leaders stepping up, as we train. I may be, and each time you come away successful off did speak to a couple of the girls about a leadership thier mistakes, thats when you break the back of role from my perspective and from what I have seen opposition teams. That’s when you start breaking them do and just getting some feedback from them season. A lot of times you get players who have teams down. As long as we take care of the ball, we by sitting down with them, ‘cause I had a long talk burnt out or have these nagging injuries that they should be fine. I do love to run, but only when with each player before the season started. I just just can’t get rid of. My philosophy is that I’d rather necessary. I want baskets. It doesn’t make any sense wanted to pick their brain and just see what their have us peaking at the right point of the season to do a whole lot of work, get down the court, and basketball IQ was like, how they approach the which is midway through and that latter half, rather not execute. Because I always tell players, if you’re season, how their preparation was like, and from that than having us peak too early and burning out too tired in a game, and this is an old adage, but if you’re I asked a couple of them to step forward. I didn’t ask early. I don’t want my players looking forward to the tired in a game, you’ve played too much defense. them to be leaders on the court, I just wanted them end of the season, I want them looking forward to You’re chasing a ball and that’s fact. Too much to lead by example. And what has happened is by the next game when the season is over. As though defense.

14 February 2010 Big V Basketball overtime Sengstock warns against early Sydney King comeback celebrations. The Chief Executive Officer of Basketball Australia mid-season and damaging the NBL brand. The NBL second Melbourne team but it appears more likely recently took time out to answer some questions Commission will ultimately look at the submissions that they would be ready to apply for a license in about the NBL Finals, the possible return of the from clubs for next season and scrutinise all elements 2011/12 rather than next season. Sydney Kings, the make-up of the competition next of their application. That includes things like their season and a range of other hot topics for NBL fans. community engagement plans and their long-term Will the NBL be back on Fox Sports next season? business plans, as well as all their projected budgets We’re in the middle of broadcast negotiations Sports Tonight carried the news last night that the and detailed financial data. The NBL Commission will right now and we have had some very promising Sydney Kings would be back next year. Can you then report to the BA Board with recommendations discussions with Fox as our incumbent partner. A confirm they will be back in the competition? for teams that should be issued with a license for critical factor to the discussions however is that we It’s a little premature to say that they will 2010/11 based on all that data. With Cairns in need to know which teams will be in next season. definitively be back, as there are still some hurdles to particular, we understand they currently have an Until the new license agreement is finalised and clear, but what I can confirm is that we have been in issue with one component of our criteria in the signed by all clubs, it’s impossible to sign off on any serious negotiations for some time with a group to working capital. We’ve asked them to submit to us new broadcast agreement. So we’re focusing on bring back an NBL team to Sydney. That group does how they expect to do so in the near future. getting the license agreement across the line so we hold the intellectual property rights to the Kings Ultimately however it is up to all clubs to prove to the can move forward and secure our broadcast future. brand name and they have been very positive in all Board’s satisfaction that they are financially sound, our discussions thus far. Is it a done deal that they and any club that can’t do so shouldn’t expect to be After so much doubt about whether this season will be back? No. Am I feeling confident they will be issued with a license for next season. would even go ahead at all, have you been happy back next season? I am confident but we still have with how it’s all unfolded? some work to do. How important is it to have teams in Sydney and Absolutely, it’s been just a fantastic showcase for Brisbane next season? basketball. We’ve seen the closest competition What are the hurdles that need to be cleared? Very important. We need to have teams in all the statistically in our 31-year history, average match We’re currently finalising the license agreement major cities as soon as possible and we are working attendance is up by five per cent across the league for teams who want to participate next season to hard to achieve this. It is extremely important for the with markets like Gold Coast and Wollongong in sign, but there have been some delays in that NBL in taking the next step in a range of areas. particular thriving and we saw a huge increase in the process that have seen slippage in our original number of games shown on TV this season. We’ve timeline. We’ve had the majority of our clubs ask for What chance is there of a second Melbourne team had fantastic new imports come in like Tywain McKee, some last minute amendments to clauses within that being in place for next season? John Gilchrist and Ayinde Ubaka and great young agreement and there has been a negotiation process I think there is no doubt that Melbourne is the one Australians and New Zealanders like Stephen Weigh, that we are still going through to make the necessary marketplace in Australia that could definitely support Daniel Johnson and Tom Abercrombie really stepping adjustments. Until the license agreement is finalised a second team but again the timing needs to be up as star players. It’s just been a fantastic spectacle and signed by the groups that have expressed right. We’ve had serious and detailed discussions and a great base on which to build for next season. interest in being part of the 2010/11 season, we can’t with a promising group that wants to launch a make the decision on which teams are in for next season. Until we know that, we also can’t finalise broadcast negotiations, so there is a knock-on effect.

What areas of the license agreement are being changed and has that meant a change to the financial criteria such as the $1M guarantee and $500,000 working capital? It’s mainly over the Intellectual Property rights for the clubs, and how they are to be leased to the NBL during the term of the license agreement. It is a very comprehensive and necessarily complicated agreement so it’s not surprising that there has had to be a great deal of discussion to get to the point where everyone is comfortable. The financial criteria however has not been compromised in any way, and that is critically important. To go through an independent review process, as we did, and then discard their key recommendation for those financial criteria would have been ludicrous and was never entertained by the BA Board.

If the financial criteria is remaining in place, what does that mean to a team like Cairns, who have publicly said they will struggle to meet it? Our goal has always been to ensure that the NBL and its clubs have the sort of stability it has lacked in recent years. That means no more teams going broke

Big V Basketball overtime February 2010 15