Big V Basketball 2023 Division 2 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 Division 2 season.
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The return of Big V Basketball is finally here.
Starting this weekend, teams from across Victoria will battle it out in another season of thrilling action.
Leader Local Sport has deep dived into every Division 2 club to bring you everything you need to know.
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ALTONA
Last season: Fourth
Key player: Samson Rocker
X-factor: Nick Patel
Season outlook: After a finals appearance last season, the Gators will be confident of pushing deep again. Expect them to be right near the top all season.
CRAIGIEBURN
Last season: Seventh
Key player: Gene Vocale
X-factor: Liam Watt
Season outlook: Vocale is a nice addition to the Eagles’ backcourt and will help add scoring power and creativity. There’s good signs out at Craigieburn.
MACCABI
Last season: 11th
Key player: Benji Tamir
X-factor: Adam Klas
Season outlook: After the disappointment of last season, the Warriors will be desperate to improve. Players including Klas and Tamir will ensure that happens in 2023.
MELTON
Last season: 10th
Key player: Blake Allison
X-factor: Michael Thompson
Season outlook: It might have been in a different competition, but a successful Country Basketball League season over summer has Melton poised to be a big improver this season.
MILDURA
Last season: Eighth
Key player: Cameron Gross
X-factor: Lachlan Knight
Season outlook: American import Gross looks a phenomenal talent, arriving in Australia fresh out of college and could light up the competition.
MORNINGTON
Last season: Fifth
Key player: Kieran McQueen
X-factor: Brad Murfett
Season outlook: Showed impressive signs throughout last season and will be desperate to build on those in the coming months with a premiership definitely not out of the question.
SHERBROOKE
Last season: Third
Key player: Austin Treweek
X-factor: Callum Langmaid
Season outlook: A finals appearance last season might have just been the beginning for a Suns outfit littered with talent and you can confidently say they’ll be pushing for the top-four again.
SURF COAST
Last season: 12th
Key player: Lachlan Headlem
X-factor: Conrad Cooper
Season outlook: It was a difficult campaign for the Chargers last time out but this young team could easily be one of Big V Basketball’s biggest improvers this season.
WALLAN
Last season: Sixth
Key player: Arcaim Lallemand
X-factor: Tyler Best
Season outlook: Finishing in the middle of the pack was probably below expectations for a Panthers team with plenty of talent in 2022. But with import Lallemand back in the fold and Best coming off the back of a strong CBL campaign, it should be an exciting season.
WHITTLESEA
Last season: Eighth
Key player: Gabe Evans
X-factor: Jason Dirkx
Season outlook: Coming off an 8-14 record in 2022, the Pacers will be desperate to improve. Evans make the move from Division 1 outfit Shepparton will give them a major boost.
WOMEN
BLACKBURN
Last season: Sixth
Key player: Sami Zennaro
X-factor: Rebecca Cunningham
Season outlook: A middle of the road team last season, with their 9-9 record, the Vikings will be desperate to make inroads on the top-four. Excitingly, there’s a mix of returning and new faces which should have supporters feeling positive.
COBURG
Last season: Eighth
Key player: Siobhan Mac Aodha
X-factor:
Season outlook: With seven wins to their names last year, the Giants have shown signs of promise in the off-season and should be confident of improving on that.
COLLINGWOOD
Last season: 10th
Key player: Tamara Matecic
Season outlook: This young group learnt a lot last season, when they went winless. That will hold them in good stead as they take another step forward in their development.
GIPPSLAND UNITED
Last season: Finalists
Key player: Makenzie Miller
X-factor:
Season outlook: United showed plenty of promise in their first season in the competition, reaching the finals series. It wouldn’t be a shock if they move up the ladder either.
MORNINGTON
Last season: Premiers
Key player: Jayde Popovski
Season outlook: After winning the premiership last season, there has been some changes at the club but that’s not to say they won’t be near the top of the tree again.
RMIT
Last season: Third
Season outlook: The Redbacks are a tough matchup every week and this season won’t be any different.
SURF COAST
Last season: Ninth
Key player: Jessica Cannell
X-factor: Jordyn Yeoman
Season outlook: Two wins last season but that figure should grow in 2023 as the Surf Coast take a major step forward in their development.
WALLAN
Last season: Fourth
Key player: Kylah Collins
X-factor: Olivia Dalmau
Season outlook: New import Collins is set to bring plenty of excitement to the court as the Panthers threaten to fire themselves into premiership contention.
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