One of the most daunting venues in Australian basketball awaits the Hoop City Geelong United Supercats Women and Men to open their 2023 NBL1 South campaign.
The Supercats will travel to Kilsyth Sports Centre for their lone meeting with the Cobras this season.
Third-year coach Matt Paton will have a different-looking United women’s roster from the was knocked out of the playoffs by Launceston Tornadoes in 2022.
United will unveil new signings Monica Okoye and Ella Tofaeono against Kilsyth.
180cm Okoye is a member of the Japan National Team and was part of the roster which claimed a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
Tofaeono, a 191cm centre from Sydney, has just returned to Australia after helping Texas Tech to the third round of the Women’s NIT.
Geelong United has also confirmed the signings of returning trio Sarah Elsworthy, Eve Braslis, and Jess Scannell, along with Nyidier Riak from NBL1 Central team Woodville and Georgia Cox (Ballarat)
Teenage guard Macey Bowie will also be given an opportunity throughout the 2023 season.
“Round one is always a bit of an unknown, with teams still settling their rosters and players adjusting to new coaches and schemes,” Paton said.
“So, it is very much down to making coaching adjustments on the run according to who plays and how the game is progressing.”
“We are still adding key pieces to our roster, so we fully expect that it will take a little time to gel as a group, but the start of the season waits for no one, and we will head to Kilsyth fully expecting to compete and give ourselves the best chance at a favourable result.
“Like us, Kilsyth has had significant roster turnover since last season, but they have put together a very big, athletic roster, and we know we will have our work cut out for us when we open the season on their home court.”
Meanwhile, Grant Wallace will debut as the Geelong United men’s team coach in a venue he knows well.
In a storied coaching career that included stops at Frankston, Diamond Valley and Nunawading, Wallace was a three-time Conference Coach of the Year winner in the SEABL.
The Supercats’ strength will be the stability of its roster, with DeMarcus Gatlin, Gabe Hadley, Owen Odigie, Liam McInerney, and Jack Terrill all returning from the squad that lost to Frankston in the first week of the playoffs.
George Blagojevic is also back, with his recovery from a serious knee injury in its closing stages.
Ma’alo Hicks, who missed the 2022 season through injury, will resume his career with Geelong United, as will Cohen Blythe.
Blythe last played with the Supercats in 2019, having spent the past two seasons with Corio Bay Stingrays.
Former Australian underage representative Liam Herbert was a late pre-season addition after dabbling in Australian Rules football in recent years.
Youngsters Jay Posterino, Marach Marach, Bailey Bruce, Seth Garcia and Jack Moran will spend time between the NBL1 South and Big V Youth League rosters.
“It has been a lengthy pre-season and our boys are ready to play,” Wallace said.
“Me as the coach though is always nervous and would like another week or two of preparation.
“Kilsyth are a well drilled, athletic and physical team who all play well together and know their roles – we are hoping that what we have established over the past months has us better placed for a season-opening win.”
