Melton Thoroughbreds have set their sights high for the Big V youth league 2 men’s season.
After missing out on finals last season, first year coach Josh Crowe plans to turn it around this year.
“To be honest, I’ve made it pretty clear I expect to win this year,” he said.
“We’re not settled on making finals and we looked pretty good on the first weekend.
“Everyone is here to play, they want to put the effort in to win it.”
The Thoroughbreds started their season is strong form with three wins from two rounds.
But the side was stripped of its second win for playing an ineligible player.
The Thoroughbreds won their first match easy but their second and third matches were much closer.
In their most recent match, the Thoroughbreds needed until overtime to overcome Western Port Steelers.
Crowe said it had been a big pre-season with a number of players to select from.
He said of the final squad, only one player isn’t from Melton.
“We haven’t played with our full team yet,” he said.
“We’ve got one kid that has state experience and a couple that have played basketball in America.
“There’s also some that have played senior Big V basketball.”
Broden Collins, who played some senior Big V basketball, will be part of the state team late this month.
Bol Bak and Fernando Rodriguez
have both played basketball overseas, while Panashe Dzimati, who is still in the US, will join the side in the next few weeks.
Bak started the season on fire averaging 35.5 points and 10.5 rebounds a game.
Crowe said he was enjoying the head coaching role this season.
“I’ve been an assistant coach for the last two years,” he said.
“It’s awesome and I can sort of run things the way I want to run them.
“The boys have done a great job so far.”
The Thoroughbreds have another double header this weekend, playing Whittlesea Pacers on Saturday night and Frankston Blues on Sunday. The senior men face Southern Peninsula Sharks at Hillview Stadium, and the women travel to Mornington Breakers.
