Fixtures

Results

Legis Guernsey Basketball Leagues – Season Preview

With the new season getting underway on the 4th November with a new league structure, it promises to be an exciting season for basketball on the Island.

Division 1 / 2

Teams: Prime Property Panthers, Focus HR Solutions, Le Mont Saint 1, DHS Giants, Mavericks, Prime Property Heat, Le Mont Saint 2

The new structure of Division 1 and 2 sees all teams beginning the season in a round robin tournament with each team playing each other once. The groups will then split into two with the Under 21 side also joining the format to give them competitive fixtures leading up to the Inter Insular without being eligible to affect the league standings. The aim of joining the two leagues is to give the division 2 sides exposure of playing at the highest level and thus encouraging them to make the step up to Division 1 next season and also to give the existing Division 1 sides the variety of playing different teams whist still remaining competitive amongst the Island elite.

Panthers are triple reigning champions and will have no desire to let go of their title without a fight. The previous two seasons have seen them pushed all the way and Panther’s coach Pat Ogier predicts it will be the same this year;

“The last two titles have been tough and I am expecting Focus and LMS to come out fighting. LMS have combined their two teams to make a powerhouse team with the likes of Shek, Mikey Beausire, Jeff Stuart, Jan Renouf, James Tracey and Ashley Ward, amongst others so we know they will be strong. Focus have picked up Nick Leale and Scott Rowe but have lost Martin Yabsley to us (Panthers) but they have a strong core and will definitely be in the mix. Obviously I am delighted to have Martin on board after losing Scott, Aivars Pilmanis and Sam Simon but we have a lot of work to do if we want to repeat. It also gives us a chance to blood some youngsters with the likes of Max Hamon getting more minutes and players such as James Alderton and Larry Lord featuring for the Division 1 side whilst playing in Division 2. I’m looking forward to the challenge and can’t wait to get started.”

Kerry Smyth of Focus: “The “Ninja’s” team is still led by Nigel Govett and go into the season without Martin Yabsley but have drafted in Nick Leale and Scott Rowe, both who have made the change from their previous teams seeking a new challenge within the game locally. Focus is built on a strong base of young talent in the island with older veterans including island Captain Andy Stephens. We also expect a break out year for Dan Marriott, Aaron Walden, Scott Rowe and Sam Norris. Additionally, Anthony Safari is expected to make a big contribution following an injury plagued campaign last season. Naro Zimmerman and Kev Holland provide Focus with experience and both players are ready to feature heavily over the coming months. After improving last season on our league position in 2009/2010, we look forward to the challenges ahead in what should be an exciting and competitive division one season and thank our sponsors Focus HR Solutions for their continued support”

Pete Beausire of Le Mont Saint: “Following a number of unsuccessful seasons with two Division 1 teams since winning the treble in 2007, Le Mont Saint have decided to under go a new restructure in order to become title contenders. The restructure has meant that top players from Abarth and Fiat have become one Division 1 team with will line up as James Tracey, Michael Beausire, Luke Sheehan, Jan Renouf, Mark Barnett, Jeff Stuart, Shek Seasy, Ashly Ward and new signing Matt Sawbridge, the squad will be coached by Joel DeWoolfson. The remaining players from last season will form a Div 2 feeder team. After a lot of discussion’s we have decided to put all of our eggs in one basket and go for it this year. We have been really disappointed with the past few seasons and with an average age of 32, we know that a number of our squad only have a few more years playing at this level, so as a squad we all felt now is the time for our strongest players to come together and produce some silverware. We have great depth in our squad and have players from Div 2 that we can call upon if required during the season”.

The Division 2 sides are similar to last year however Le Mont Saint 2 joins the fray with some of last seasons Division 1 players amongst the squad. DHS may lose Neil Davey to LMS as well as Phil English to Mavericks but the teams should remain largely unchanged. After last seasons three – way tie and subsequent title success for Prime Property Heat, all the sides stand a realistic chance of picking up silverware. DHS will be lead by Island stalwart Chris Lamb with Toni Cranchi, Glenn Walker and Rene Simonvic providing support. The Mavs are boosted by the arrival of English but also boast last season’s MVP Matt Sarl as well as key players Lee Blampied and Sam Batiste. LMS 2 look strong on paper with Pete Beausire, Tim Roberts and Phil Sweet all dropping down from Division 1. They will be joined by Neil Davey and Ryan Kampmann (transfer from DTA) forming a potent line up. Heat will be without the services of centre James Ashplant but otherwise retain their squad. Chris Simms is back to add strength at the forward position with Jamie Roussel, Dave Wilson and Larry Lord filling the guard spots. Andy Maiden and Andy Shaw provide the inside presence.

Division 3

Teams: Alternative Solutions, Archivist, Dee-Caf, Sarnia Giants, Island Women

In order to make the leagues more competitive, the teams finishing at the lower end of the Division 2 table last season have merged with last season’s division 3 to make a 5 team league. Archivist (formally DTA) and Sarnia Giants on paper look the strongest however both the young Dee-Caf and Alternative Solutions (ASL) sides will be looking to make a name for themselves. ASL contain a number of the Island Under 17 players and will definitely be a handful for their opponents while Dee-Caf have a blend of youth and experience which will see them compete. Sarnia Giants boast experience and size and will be difficult to play against while Archivist have made significant improvements in recent seasons.

Women’s League

Teams: Cannon Storm, Manzur Ladies, NonDom Tigers, Tropics 1, Tropics 2

The Women’s league could be a close run contest after last season’s runaway winners Tropics, have split their side to make the league more competitive. This decision is testament to the Island Players within the Tropics squad who have put the development of the game before their own personal glory. That said, it is expected that both the Tropics teams will be in the mix come next April. Tropics 1 features Island trio Amy Wright, Kerri Brown and Rochelle Vaudin, while Tropics 2 has a strong line up including Island players Kat Daunt, Emma Hicks and Katie Cochrane. Both teams have promising young players in their ranks with Mel Jiminez, Paige Le Moignan and Emily Batiste all expected to play a role. On the opposite end of the scale, both Kath Guille and Lorna Brown return to action along with Island athlete Nat Whitty who. Cannon Storm have picked up some players from the disbanded TLC and IPES teams with Tracy Martel, Donna Wenman, Kate Henry and Lois Batiste joining Island players Gemma Batiste, Vikki Loveridge and Emma Webb. They will be hoping to improve on last season’s performances and push the other teams all the way. Nondom Tigers and Manzur Ladies complete the line up for the Women. Tigers are strong contenders with Island Captain Jenny Rees leading a strong and competent squad. Vicky Van Someren should be back to full fitness and will offer a threat inside with Vicky Travers. Donna Brehaut provides the outside game along with new recruit Emma Frost, former Plymouth National League player, who is currently working on the Island. After scooping the coach of the year award for his commitment last season, Robin Smith returns with a new squad of young players, mostly beginners, who will be keen and enthusiastic come their first fixture.

Guernsey Basketball Association President Pat Ogier; “It’s shaping up to be a really exciting season and I am looking forward to some close games and hopefully some really competitive leagues with quality basketball being played throughout. The changes to the structure of the leagues will go some way to closing the gap between Division 1 and 2 and encourage more players to make the jump to the top league. We also hope that by giving the younger teams and players more competition it will develop our Island Under 17 and Under 21 sides in preparation for the Inter Insular next year. Away from the court we are planning both an officials and coaching course and discussions have taken place over a new summer league which will offer opportunities to anyone that wants to give basketball a go, possibly leading to new players’ involvement in next season’s league format. The sponsorship provided by Legis will help fund these projects as we strive to bring basketball to the forefront of the local community”.