PRE-SEASON training is in full swing for the Mandurah Magic’s men’s and women’s teams with both the coaches and players keen to start the 2012 campaign.
Women’s head coach Mark Utley said the team will have a new look in 2012 after losing their two highest scorers over the off season.
“At the start of this year we found out that Casey Mihovilovich was pregnant,” Utley said.
“She was the league MVP and our best player last year so it will be a big loss.”
Mihovilovich was also the team’s captain, a job that will be hard to fill.
Utley said his assistant coaches would decide who would be the new captain during the next three weeks, but he thought there were a few good candidates.
The team will also be without import Hailey Dunham, who will be playing for Esterides in Athens, Greece.
Utley said the team would not sign a new import.
“I agree an import makes a big difference in the men’s competition but for the women, in both SBL and WNBL, the imports don’t dominate and they cost a lot of money,” he said.
“The best players are Australians.”
Utley said the team would look to develop their own players and are looking in good shape.
“Shelley Boston is fitter than ever, we recruited Danika Pisconeri from Waroona who is strong and big, Ashley Sidebottom is another talented big,” Utley said.
He also said Bree Klasztorny was training well among others.
“If people step up and are willing to compete I think the team is up for the challenge.”
Men’s head coach Jason Chalk said the team would be looking to leave an injury-ravaged 2011 behind them and look to play finals in 2012.
“Some of the guys have a real fire burning inside them,” Chalk said.
“Andrew Bowman, Tom Remmerswaal and Cam Armstrong are looking good they have been training with such intensity.
With retirements over the off season the team have lost depth in their big department.
“We are a little light on size,” Chalk said.
“The inside work will be left up to Tom Remmerswaal and Taylor Mullenax so were going to have to have a bit of luck with our big guys.
“We can’t afford to have one of those guys injured.”
The team’s number one defensive player last year, Paul Pantaleo, will take a year off after suffering with injuries.
“Paul will be replaced with Ben Grey who will be an exceptional player, he was born in WA but has been living in England.”
Chalk said with their current game plan they’re going to be an exciting team to watch.
“We are going to be a real running team this year; we plan to run teams off their feet.
“It will be a high pressure, high intensity game style.”
The Magic men’s and women’s team start the year with an away game against the Perry Lakes Hawks on March 16.
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