There is a lot to like about the Stacks Goudkamp Bears in 2013 as they look to break their recent championships drought.

 

The 2012 runners-up roll into season 2013 largely unchanged which is a good thing. In recent seasons the Bears have lacked some consistency in their team lists but they seem to have turned the corner in that respect this year, managing to re-acquire the services of Japanese import Mari Amimoto and Kathleen O’Kelly Kennedy (despite the cross country move).

 

Add to the big power forwards, Kylie Gauci and the recently internationally retired Tina Mckenzie and you have makings of a team that could do some damage at the pointy end of the season.

 

Much like the reigning champions from Victoria, the Bears do not lack scoring options. O’Kelly Kennedy sits as tall as anyone in the league and cannot be allowed within range or she becomes almost un-defendable. Gauci and McKenzie are renowned perimeter shooters while Amimoto moves her chair as well as anyone and provides the team some real X-Factor.

 

The Bears enter season 2013 with not one able bodied player on their list which is a real compliment to the development work they have been doing. Add to that the depth off the bench in Lisa Edmonds, Louise Sauvage and the return of one of women’s wheelchair basketball greats Liesl Tesch and the Bears could well be the team to beat in 2013.

 

 

2013 Stacks Goudkamp Bears:

 

4. Tina McKenzie (3.0)

5. Mari Amimoto (4.5)

6. Kathleen O’Kelly-Kennedy (4.0)

7. Liesl Tesch (4.0)

8. Louise Sauvage (2.0)

9. Kelly Griffin (4.0)

10. Melissa Collins (1.0)

11. Kylie Gauci (2.0)

13. Lisa Edmonds (3.0)

14. Anthea Castelli (1.0)

 

Head Coach: Gerry Hewson

Assistant Coach: Ben Towers

 

Written by Joel Mackenzie