MOUNT Gambier Lakers men will look to atone for last year’s Victorian Country Basketball League championship loss when they kick off their season tomorrow night.
The Lakers went through the 2017-18 South West conference minor rounds undefeated, before dispatching Millicent in the first final.
But they stumbled at the final hurdle, going down to Colac Kookas in the playoff match.
Despite injury and illness. the Lakers did not succumb without a fight, as captain Matt Berkefeld worked his way to a game-high 29 points, while Sam Stafford and Kane de Wit both reached double figures.
In the end it was not enough to claim the honours, with the Lakers going down by 15 points in an unexpected result.
It would have been a disappointing way to end such a promising season, with the side sure to hit back this time around.
However, the South West conference takes on a new look this season, with 11 teams competing, rather than the six from last season, which adds to the pressure.
Millicent is unable to field a side, while Geelong, Bacchus Marsh, Hamilton, Bellarine, Warrnambool and Horsham fill the extra spaces.
That makes for a tough prospect ahead for the Lakers.
Millicent will sport a women’s team in the South West conference, with Mount Gambier not on that roster.
That will see the Lakers men and the Magic women share some interstate game slots, with their home games played at their own respective stadiums.
With the way the draw unfolds there will be no easing into the season either, with two games set down for this weekend.
First up the Lakers face the Geelong Supercats tomorrow night in an 8pm time slot, which is sure to be a tough contest.
The Supercats made the decision to join the league mid-year, with the view to provide young players in the club the chance to develop further.
The Lakers men follow the Millicent women’s game against the Supercats, providing some Limestone Coast support on the night against a tough Victorian rival.
Sunday sees a 1pm game for the Lakers against Terang Tornadoes, who finished last season in fifth place, while the Magic women move on to face the Bellarine Storm.
Berkefeld will again captain the Lakers, while de Wit takes on the coaching role.
For de Wit it is a season where the side wants to atone for last year’s playoff loss.
He said the roster is an improvement on last season, which would hopefully see the Lakers again challenge for the title.
“We have a couple of guys who have not touched a basketball for a long time, but we are looking good,” de Wit said.
“We have some height this year with Lachie Hunter and Braiden Ousey coming back from college.
“It will be good to have some actual height, rather than basically playing five guards.”
De Wit said he was looking forward to the challenge of new teams in the competition.
“I think Bacchus Marsh will be good, Warrnambool is back in and Bellarine should be a talented team,” he said.
“Teams like Colac, who we played in the grand final last year, are just going to get better.
“Ararat should improve after their first season last year and Horsham is back in the league and should be another good team.
“Teams like Geelong and Hamilton, I’m sure they will be very talented.
“It is good to have a lot more games and a tougher competition, which is exactly what we need.”
De Wit said he hoped the promise of a tougher competition would bring more spectators to the Icehouse to enjoy an entertaining contest.
The Lakers play their first home game next weekend, Sunday October 21 against Hamilton.
“All of the teams that have come in or back into the conference are high-quality,” de Wit said.
“Hopefully it should bring a lot more people out to see some very talented players.
“We hope to see plenty of support for our first home game against Hamilton next week.”
