The Townsville Heat have continued to compile their roster for the 2020 NBL1 North with the announcement today that former 489 NBL game veteran Peter Crawford and young gun Ethan Betts will both be back in the blue and gold this season.

Betts role will be significantly larger in 2020, with the earlier announcement that Josh Wilcher is not returning, creating an opportunity for him to take charge of the team in the Point Guard spot.

“I’m very excited for the opportunities and year ahead. We have a lot of local talent here in Townsville and I think it’s important when our time comes we are fully prepared. No doubt this year will be very exciting once again for the Townsville Heat and I’m looking forward to having a bigger role in the team this year”, said Betts.

Head Coach Rodney Anderson said, “I think this season is going to be a breakout year for Ethan, I've thrown him the keys to the team and he's been working so hard in the off season to improve his game and give this opportunity the best shot he can.  Bettsy has had 4 years playing behind Josh Wilcher and that has made him smarter and hungrier to do well this year.”

He added, “The NBL1 is a great proving ground for Ethan and he's got his sights set on an NBL contract in the next year or 2 so we'll do everything we can to get the best out of him, which will also help the team.”

Crawford first played for the Heat back in 1997 and is itching to get back on the court for another season.

“I’m looking forward to playing in the NBL 1 and competing for a championship with the Heat again this year. Preseason had started and it will be tough after having some time off over Christmas. It will be good to get back into game shape and it will be tough working with all the young pups” said Crawford.

“You don’t stop playing because you get old, you get old as soon as you stop playing”

Coach Anderson is said, “PC brings so much experience and his elite shooting ability, as well as his invaluable leadership qualities.  He is such a great role model to the young guys that are coming through; and we do have a number of really talented players coming through the ranks that look up to him and really respect him for the career that he has had.”

“He is always that voice in the locker room that everyone listens to and his work ethic rubs off on everyone else.  As he's getting towards the end of his playing career he's been doing a lot of work with me on the coaching side of things to so that is really exciting to be able to bounce things off him.”