Big V Basketball: Keysborough set their sights on Division 1 title

Keysborough might just be the hungriest team ahead of the new Big V Division 1 basketball season after the frustration of 2021. Here’s why.

It might be hard to find a team hungrier than the Keysborough men’s team in season 2022.

That’s because the Cougars feel like they had a championship snatched away from them when another Covid lockdown saw the season end last year.

At that time, Keysborough sat undefeated at the top of the Big V Division 1 ladder with 15 straight wins and a percentage of 134.30.

Just three of those games had been decided by under 10 points.

Meanwhile the Cougars had several winning margins by greater than 40 throughout the year.

Second placed Corio Bay had lost five games from their 17 matches, although the pair never had the opportunity to face off.

Now Keysborough coach Nathan Vogt says his side are ready to bring their best to Division 1 again.

“We feel like we’re in the window to compete for a title,” he said.

“It doesn’t feel like we are making up for lost time but we want to put ourselves in the same position we did last year.

“Our boys want to play at Championship level and I have every belief we will give ourselves every chance to do that.

“The team has a real sense of what’s required and we’re working hard to get to the top.”

Keysborough Cougars Division 1 men's side ahead of the new season. Photo: Facebook.

Among the players who will have a say in how far the Cougars go this season is import Gerrard Newby.

He returns to the club after playing there in 2018.

Vogt said he was excited about the prospect of working with the Kentucky native.

“He’s a long athletic wing who can impact both ends of the floor,” he said.

“Ivan Platenik is back for his 22nd year as well and we all know what he is capable of producing on a weekly basis.”

The Cougars will open their season against Bellarine on their home floor on Saturday night at 8pm.