A Ballarat Miners and Bendigo Braves clash always serves up something special in the South East Australian Basketball League.
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It goes with the territory for one of the biggest rivalries in the competition.
The time of the season makes no difference.
A title can be on the line or the encounter can simply be the opening game of the season as is the scenario in the SEABL's men's east conference at the Minerdome on Friday night.
While like everyone Miners head coach Eric Hayes wants nothing less than a win, he is uncertain as to exactly what shape the game will take. This is not surprising despite Hayes putting the GMHBA Miners through an extensive pre-season.
There has been a big roster turnover, with the likes of homegrown NBL guard Anthony Fisher and former captain Liam Gibcus among departures.
An influx of players has included imports Earnest Ross and Ollie Bailey, and a homecoming by Ash Constable from the Cairns Taipans, while James Hunter will not be arriving until May.
Throw in the absence of Ballarat playmaker and gun import Roy Booker, who has returned to the United States to attend the funeral of a family member, and emerging young Sam Short, who is playing for the Australian under-18s in Germany, from this game and it will be a while before the Miners get a chance to settle.
Hayes said the Miners would have quite a young bench against Bendigo as the likes of James Hallett and Malachi Harvey were given opportunities.
Hayes is delighted to have Constable back. He last played with the Miners two seasons ago.
Constable spent last winter in Cairns, but has grabbed the opportunity to return home.
So impressive has he been that he has been elected co-captain with Roy Booker.
Hayes said Constable had slotted back in really well. He’s more mature, more knowledgeable and more skilful. He’s brought as level of professionalism after being in NBL.”
Hayes said Bailey and Ross had also added professionalism to the group, having played at a higher level.
Hayes believes the Miners will modify their playing style from what took into the play-off last season, but it would be sometime before this was settled on.
“I’d like us to play solid defence, and when we get the chance to push up the court (hard).”
He said the roster had certainly come together well, with the players starting to get know each better and feel more comfortable as a group and with each others’ games.
