Big V Basketball: 30 players who will shape the finals series

The big guns and unsung heroes are ready to make their presence felt in the Big V Basketball finals series. Here’s who could play a key role for your team.

Big V Basketball’s finals series are finally here.

After more than four months of regular season action, the big guns are ready to fire in the coming weeks.

Leader has crunched the numbers to see who could prove pivotal for their side.

Here’s who made our list.

Sharna Appleby (Altona, Division 2 Women)

Brilliant throughout the season, averaging 18.9 points per game. Her partnership with Alysha Carden-David will go a long way to deciding her side’s fate.

Brandon Armstrong (Gippsland United, Division 2 Men)

One of the newest teams in the competition couldn’t have asked for a better import. Armstrong has won plaudits across the competition and will hope to end the year with a bang.

Sharif Black (McKinnon, Championship Men)

Has impacted games in all impacts this season whether it’s scoring (27.4 points per game), rebounding or assisting. Has also created plenty of opportunities with steals.

Cohen Blythe (Corio Bay, Division 1 Men)

A big threat at either end of the floor, Blythe was the Stingrays’ leading scorer with 15.8 points per game.

Stephen Coffey (RMIT Redbacks, Division 1 Men)

A player with the potential to explode with a triple-double on any given night. Watch out if he heats up.

Joshua Dow (Pakenham, Division 2 Men)

While import Joe Davis has carried a large part of the scoring load, Dow has proven to be the perfect foil. He is the Warriors leading creative player and also averages two steals per game.

Kavione Green has been one of the league's best defenders this season. Photo: Basketball Victoria.

Kavione Green (Wyndham, Championship Men)

One of the league’s best defenders during an impressive first season with Wyndham. Green averages a team-high 2.5 steals a game but is also capable of adding points offensively.

Ariel Hearn (Sherbrooke, Division 1 Women)

A dominant force in her side’s run to the minor premiership and you’d expect Hearn won’t be slowing down. Averaged 26.43 points per game.

Chloe Hogg (Gippsland United, Division 2 Women)

The hometown hero who is starring for one of the competition’s newest clubs. Hogg is averaging a team-high 18.9 points per game.

Chloe Hogg has lit up the Division 2 Women's competition. Photo: Basketball Victoria.

Marnie Houghton (Camberwell, Division 1 Women)

Along with Gemma Fyffe, Houghton has been a dynamic performer for the Dragons throughout the season. Has averaged 15.1 points per game and 1.3 steals.

Claire Ioannidis (McKinnon, Championship Women)

McKinnon’s main creative forced this season. Despite starting eight of her 20 games on the bench, expect her to make a big impact.

Garret Jefferson (Shepparton, Division 1 Men)

The star of the Gators line-up. Jefferson doesn’t always need big minutes a game either. Can hit shots from inside or from deep.

Garret Jefferson is a star for Shepparton. Photo: Basketball Victoria.

Maria Jespersen (Sunbury, Championship Women)

Has lived up to the billing as one of the star imports in the competition with a series of dominant displays. Has averaged a resounding 27.6 points a game on 57.45 per cent shooting.

Samantha Keltos (Western Port, Division 1 Women)

Has delivered on her big potential to help the Steelers sneak into the finals series and will be desperate for the season to continue beyond this weekend.

Samantha Keltos has been a revelation for Western Port. Photo: Basketball Victoria.

Samantha Labros (RMIT Redbacks, Division 2 Women)

Labros has carried much of the offensive load for the Redbacks with 24.9 points per game and no teammate in double figures.

Inez Lie (Mornington, Division 2 Women)

Has enjoyed a standout season for the high flying Breakers and will be hoping her side can finish off the job after finishing top of the ladder.

Kieran McQueen (Mornington, Division 2 Men)

Has done a bit of everything throughout the season to lead the Breakers in points scored and assists made. That shouldn’t change in finals action.

Katie O’Keefe (Warrnambool, Division 1 Women)

Leads her side in just about every statistic underlining her importance to the Mermaids. If she fires, anything is possible.

Amanda Paschal has been a terrific import for Wyndham. Photo: Basketball Victoria.

Amanda Paschal (Wyndham, Championship Women)

Arrived in Australia with a big reputation and has delivered a range of stunning performances. Her average of 5.2 assists per game highlight the gun’s ability as an unselfish import.

Ivan Platenik (Keysborough, Division 1 Men)

The veteran’s experience could prove pivotal at this stage of the season for the Cougars. He can win a game with a big shot or a big defensive effort. A fantastic two-way player.

Zac Polglaze in action for Altona. Photo: Basketball Victoria.

Zac Polglaze (Altona, Division 2 Men)

The Gators’ leading passer with 3.2 assists per game. But he’s also able to score himself averaging 11.3 points.

Makuei Puondak (Hume, Championship Men)

The big man can do a little bit of everything for the Broncos and has enjoyed a standout season. He’s averaged 16.2 points per game and is his team’s leading rebounder.

Makuei Puondak in action for Hume. Photo: Basketball Victoria.

Joel Rimes (Melbourne University, Division 1 Men)

Played an integral role in his side’s run to the minor premiership averaging 16.6 points per game. Rimes can also impact the game at the defensive end.

Sarah Scott (Wallan, Division 2 Women)

A crucial player especially on the defensive end with her 1.7 steals a game. Scott can also score in bunches if required.

Abraham Solano (Wallan, Division 2 Men)

Averaging the most minutes of any Panthers player this season and he has continually been able to make those minutes count.

Louella Tomlinson (Bulleen, Championship Women)

A player who is able to do a bit of everything for the Boomers. Tomlinson is among the team’s leaders in several statistics including points, assists and rebounds.

Austin Treweek is a creative force for Sherbrooke. Photo: Basketball Victoria.

Austin Treweek (Sherbrooke, Division 2 Men)

Treweek loves to get this teammates involved on the offensive end with his wonderful passing ability and could prove crucial.

Ish Sanders (Sunbury, Championship Men)

The Jets import has been a star throughout the season averaging 26.8 points per game on an impressive 41.6 per cent shooting. But he can also bring his teammates into the game.

Ish Sanders (right) has had plenty of reasons to celebrate this year. Photo: Basketball Victoria.

Fanni Szabo (Mildura, Division 1 Women)

Arrived mid-season and hasn’t missed a beat since for the Devils. Put together a huge finish to the regular season and will be hoping to carry that form into finals action.

Lewis Varley (Bellarine, Division 1 Men)

In such an evenly spread team, Varley has enjoyed a fantastic season. He is his team’s main distributor but can turn a game on the defensive end.

WEEK ONE FINALS SCHEDULE

Championship Men

Hume v Sunbury — Saturday, 7pm at Broadmeadows Basketball Stadium

McKinnon v Wyndham — Saturday, 7pm at GESAC

Championship Women

McKinnon v Wyndham — Saturday, 5pm at GESAC

Sunbury v Bulleen — Sunday, 2pm at Boardman Stadium

Division 1 Men

Shepparton v RMIT Redbacks — Saturday, 7pm at Shepparton Sports Stadium

Bellarine v Corio Bay — Saturday, 7pm at Shepparton Sports Stadium

Division 1 Women

Mildura v Western Port — Saturday, 6pm at Ausloans Mildura Hothouse

Camberwell v Warrnambool — Sunday, 1pm at Balwyn High School

Division 2 Men

Sherbrooke v Wallan — Saturday, 6pm at Upwey High School

Altona v Mornington — Sunday, 3pm at Altona Sports Centre

Division 2 Women

Wallan v Gippsland United — Saturday, 8.05pm at RB Robson Stadium

Altona v RMIT Redbacks — Sunday, 1.05pm at Altona Sports Centre