Local talent will remain key to Meteorettes’ NBL1 North tilt

Scott McKenzie says the bulk of his playing roster for next season will consist of those who took Mackay to the CQ Cup title

The Mackay Meteorettes went unbeaten in the CQ Cup, but the NBL1 North will pose a far sterner test next season. Photo: Callum Dick

WITH his place in the coaching hot seat now confirmed, returning Meteorettes boss Scott McKenzie is already working to make the team's maiden NBL1 North campaign a success.

And he promises local faces will make up the bulk of the playing roster.

The self-proclaimed 'Mackay man' was in good spirits on Wednesday, following the coaching announcement.

It capped a stellar two weeks for McKenzie, who guided the Meteorettes to a CQ Cup grand final win over the Rockhampton Cyclones in late-November.

With the NBL1 North dress rehearsal now in the books and his coaching position secured, McKenzie is "already talking to players" in preparation for next season.

"I'm starting to meet with the girls who played for me in the CQ Cup," he said.

"There's a big difference between CQ Cup and NBL1. I'll be going through the expectations, finding out what they want out of the year and what I expect of them."

The seasoned coach also has his recruiting cap back on - hopeful for easier access to outside talent, assuming the coronavirus pandemic stays under control by season start in May.

"It's about putting the right pieces in place. With this young team and a couple of experienced players, you need to make sure you have a balance to who you recruit," McKenzie said.

"I'm a big believer in bringing in the right people."

Scott Mckenzie has been appointed the Mackay Meteorettes 2021 NBL1 North coach after leading the team on an unbeaten ConocoPhillips CQ Cup campaign. Photo: Trudi Jensen

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McKenzie's creed throughout the CQ Cup was to reward players who trained hard with on-court minutes. It is with that coaching philosophy in mind that he plans to give his recent championship-winning roster every opportunity to vie for an NBL1 spot.

"I would imagine most of the group that played in the CQ Cup will be in the squad. Whether that amounts to the final team, time will tell," he said.

"Everybody is on a level playing field and that's why I'm meeting with every player as I go, letting them know what my expectations are."

McKenzie said keeping Mackay's best talent involved in the top levels of the game was important for the sustained growth of the program.

"Mackay Basketball must keep its better players involved," he said.

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