Big V Basketball 2023 Championship Division preview

From all the keys in and outs to your club’s key players and x-factor, here’s everything you need to know about the 2023 Big V Basketball Championship Division season.

The return of Big V Basketball is finally here.

This weekend, teams from across Victoria will battle it out in another season of thrilling action.

Leader Local Sport has deep dived into every Championship division club to bring you everything you need to know.

MEN

BELLARINE

Coach: Luke Beauglehall

Last season: Division 1 champions

Key player: Jalen King

X-factor: James Till

Season outlook: On the back of a title in 2022, the Storm are ready to test themselves against the best teams Big V Basketball has to offer. They’re quietly confident of what lays ahead and don’t be surprised if they make a push for the finals.

Blackburn are a team to keep your eye on. Photo: Basketball Victoria.

BLACKBURN

Coach: Matt Brooks

Last season: 7th (6-15)

Key player: Denzel Brito

X-factor: Ed Bourke

Season outlook: After finishing second bottom in 2022, the Vikings will be desperate to find more consistency in their game which should allow them to put more wins on the board. Fresh faces on the roster are certainly going to shake things up.

Roster: Carson Crowe, Cooper Applegate, Dami Okedara, Denzel Brito, Dylan Ryburn, Ed Bourke, James Tanner, Jarod Abbott, Majok Maniel, Matt Hoey, Mike Zuccolo, Mitch Douglas, Ray Mitchell, Robbie La Morticella, Tito Kwajakwan.

CAMBERWELL

Coach: Olly Reid

Last season: 5th (9-12)

Key player: Anthony Kimble

X-factor: Jay Mackenzie

Season outlook: The Dragons will be desperate to make in roads on the top teams this season and with some talented players there’s no reason they can’t do so. Jay Mackenzie is one of the most exciting talents in the league and should take big steps in his development.

Hume City are an exciting team. Photo: Basketball Victoria.

HUME

Coach: Matt Foster

Last season: 4th (11-10)

Key player: Troyce Manassa

X-factor: Euro Elder

Season outlook: A side that will be capable of pushing for title contention if their key players are able to perform. Manassa is an impressive pick up and should slot nicely into the Broncos’ line-up.

KEYSBOROUGH

Coach: Nathan Vogt

Last season: Division 1

Key player: Calvin Enge

X-factor: Leonard Harper-Baker

Season outlook: The Cougars are set to walk into the unknown of Championship Division basketball but their best is good enough to push the teams in the top tiers. Their imports are impressive players and are likely to have a big say in how their team performs this season.

MCKINNON

Coach: Adam Walsh

Last season: Third

Key player: Sharif Black

X-factor: Tom Carroll

Season outlook: After falling short of the grand final series last season, McKinnon will be right in the mix at the end of the season when the whips are cracking once again. One of the rising powerhouses in Victorian basketball.

MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY

Coach: Shawn King

Last season: Division 1

Key player: Joel Rimes

X-factor: 

Season outlook: Stepping up into the top tier is going to be a great challenge for King’s side with the on-court charge to be led by Joel Rimes who was last season’s Division 1 MVP. Big man Liam Killey should have a strong presence after stepping across from NBL1.

Ish Sanders will play a key role for Sunbury. Photo: Basketball Victoria.

SUNBURY

Coach: John White

Last season: Runner-up

Key player: Ish Sanders

X-factor: Trevon Clayton

Season outlook: After the heartbreak of last season’s grand final defeat, the Jets are set to be right in title contention once again this season. Ish Sanders is among the best players in the competition and will be desperate to lead his side to go one step further.

WESTERN PORT

Coach: Mark Gaze

Last season: 6th (8-13)

Key player: Scott Stone

X-factor: John King

Season outlook: With Mark Gaze at the helm, the Steelers will be hopeful of moving up the ladder with this season with some exciting additions to the squad. The club’s two imports in Russell Parmenter and Scott Stone are impressive players and players you just want to watch.

Wyndham will be among favourites for the men's title again. Photo: Basketball Victoria.

WYNDHAM

Coach: Lucas Allen

Last season: Champions

Key player: Maurice Howard

X-factor: Manel Ayol

Season outlook: Everyone is eyeing off Wyndham’s place at the top of the Big V tree. But there are no reasons to suggest, the defending champions won’t be there at the pointy end once again. Are they favourites for the title right now?

WOMEN

BULLEEN

Coach: Mason Rogers

Last season: Runners-up

Key player: Maxine Allen

X-factor: Kelli Romas

Season outlook: After falling in the grand final series last season, the Boomers will be desperate to go one step better this year. Expect them to be fired up from the tip and be right in finals contention at a minimum.

CAMBERWELL

Coach: Michael Dimattina

Last season: Division 1

Key player: Marnie Houghton

X-factor: Gemma Fyfe

Season outlook: It’s the beginning of a new challenge for the Dragons as they embark on the journey of Championship basketball. They’ve got some nice pieces who are capable of shining at this level.

HUME

Coach: Tim Devlin

Last season: Fifth

Key player: Kayona Lee

X-factor: Emma Povh

Season outlook: The Broncos finished with an 8-13 record last season and will need to drastically improve that if they’re to close the gap on the top-four. Kayona Lee is a new import meanwhile last season’s Youth Women Championship MVP Emma Povh will be looking to make herself known at this level.

There's plenty of excitement around McKinnon's hopes this year. Photo: Basketball Victoria.

MCKINNON

Coach: Paul Graham

Last season: Fourth

Key player: Emily Suckling

X-factor: 

Season outlook: After playing finals basketball in 2022, the Cougars will be confident of following a similar path. Emily Sucking is one of the leading scorers and will play a key role on offence. Expect former NBL1 guard Lily Brancatisano to make a difference.

PAKENHAM

Coach: Rob Dielemans

Last season: 6th (7-14)

Key player: Haille Nickerson

The star import returns for another season in Pakenham colours and is once again expected to be the focal point of her side. Nickerson is able to do a bit of everything and is fantastic to watch.

X-factor: Hayley Letts

Season outlook: It’s been an off-season of change for the Warriors who appointed Rob Dielemans to the top job after he spent time with Kilsyth in the NBL1. He’s put together a roster which is expected to be very competitive at this level and is headlined by returning import Nickerson who will be joined by Samantha Romanowski as the other big name. With plenty of local stars, Pakenham isn’t expected to look out of place.

Roster: Adele Gallagher, Chelsea Schreuder, Chloe Zielinski, Ebony Sans, Haille Nickerson, Hannah Wildner, Hayley Letts, Jacinta Maxwell, Keeley Patterson, Melissa Prior, Olivia Howman, Rhiannon Gallagher, Samantha Romanowski, Sarah Young.

SHERBROOKE

Coach: Chad Burton

Last season: Division 1 runner-up

Key player: Alicia Carline

X-factor: Stephanie Pal

Season outlook: After finishing last season as runners-up, the Suns still earned promotion after Big V’s restructure. Now they’ll be ready to test themselves against the state’s best. They played some brilliant basketball last season and should be in a good place to cause a few surprises.

Sunbury are a threat for the women's title. Photo: Basketball Victoria.

SUNBURY

Coach: Simon Nicholson

Last season: Third

Key player: Ida Andersson

X-factor: Emily Conn

Season outlook: The Jets are one of the key contenders in the women’s division. With import Ida Andersson returning for another season, expect Sunbury to be an offensive force in particular.

WYNDHAM

Coach: Gerard Hillier

Last season: Champions

Key player: Amanda Paschal

X-factor: Dyani Ananiev

Season outlook: After climbing the mountain last season, Wyndham is in a strong position to defend its title. Led by 2022 All Star Five selections, Amanda Paschal and Dyani Ananiev, Wyndham looks to be the team to beat once again. Locals will make up a strong part of the team.