MICHAEL Lay will once again don the Sun City Plumbing Buccaneers blue and gold after the club resigned the point guard last week.

Lay, who is currently playing in Germany, will boost the guard stocks for Evans’ men who made the State Basketball League quarter finals in 2010.

Evans said it was an easy decision to resign Lay.

“No doubt that we wanted him back,” said Evans.

“He was coming back to town during the European off-season anyway so it is great to have him playing.”

Lay acted as assistant coach towards the end of the 2010 season with the Buccaneers.

His Australian citizenship will allow him to play as an Australian next season but is classified as an import for season 2011.

After the departure of Daniel Thomas, Evans said the guard position definitely needed addressing.

“Michael will add a steady head to the line-up and will control play,” he said.

“He is a pass first guy rather than score first which is different to Daniel Thomas and I think everyone will see a more mature Michael Lay this time.”

Evans believed the signing would not ease the pressure on younger players in the team such as Clayton Dann and Luke Wrensted.

“Those guys will still need to step up and take their opportunities,” he said.

“Michael and Luke have worked together before.”

With one more import spot available to the Buccaneers, Evans said the club is close to signing the second overseas player.

“We are in talks with someone at the moment but nothing has been conformed,” he said.

“The guy we are talking with is a swingman that can do a bit of everything.”

Pre-season training for the Buccaneers begins after Christmas with Evans very optimistic of the upcoming season.

“The boys are very eager to get into it and start to train hard,” said Evans.

“Everyone is keeping fit playing in the domestic league and obviously Michael will be fit after playing in Germany.”

Article by Taylor Courtland (Geraldton Guardian)
Photo by Gary Warner

Follow the SBL on Facebook