Isaac
Years ago
ABL ready to get underway
Don't know what a Lobo is? You should. There's one returning to Adelaide next week. There's also a former Opal dropping in from Spain later this year, and a Mustang returning after 10 years in the NBL. There's an Emu and a Sapphire gunning for world championship selection, and five 36ers and nine Lightning players on display.
Oh, and then there's Dusty Rychart.
One of the 36ers most popular imports returns to Adelaide after picking up an NBL title in his first year with the Brisbane Bullets. His start with the Rockets will be delayed by a week courtesy of Eddie Groves, who scraped together the cash for a celebratory trip to Vegas for the team. When he arrives, look out.
As well as Rychart, North's men will be joined by former Rocket Ryan Kersten, who has spent his last couple of years at the AIS and the University of New Mexico Lobos (for the mildly interested, the answer is "a Mexican Wolf"). As a state rep, Kersten was exciting to watch, and his leadership will add to North's quality backcourt.
Both Rychart and Kersten should suit against Southern on March 24 at Morphett Vale.
Olympian Jo Hill is no stranger to the league. Currently playing professionally in Spain, Hill will join the league at some stage through the season. Last year, she was the MVP in 8 of the 13 games she played for the Rockets, and if the Rockets are in contention when she arrives, anything is possible.
Brendan Mann's 10 year NBL career included stints as a Cannon, a Bullet and a Pirate. He spent 2006 in NSW playing for the Maitland Mustangs in the Waratah ABL, and joins a Bearcat group looking to build on the progress made by a mainly junior outfit last year.
19 year old Flame Lisa Scaglia had her AIS scholarship cut short by a knee injury. After sitting out of last year's competition, Scaglia returns to Norwood with the goal of being selected in the Australian Sapphires team for the World Championships for U21 Women in Moscow in June/July.
18 year old Forestville guard Trent Fildes will play his first season in the ABA, after winning the Metro League MVP over Summer. Fildes made a recent return to the Australian Emus squad and is under consideration for selection for the World Championships for U19 Men in Serbia in July.
A new 18 round format means every game counts, and a new two week national final format means opportunities for SA teams to host national quarter finals. There's never been a better opportunity to see local talent, and whatever your fancy, the 2007 Central ABL season will be one of the most exciting ever.
Hit Sporting Pulse for Round 1 previews for the women and the men.
