Big boost for Pakenham’s Big V hopes

James Topp has returned to the Pakenham Warriors for the 2017 season in a huge boost to the Big V club. 165158

By Russell Bennett

It can be a real balancing act to navigate the line between sustained success and the ability to provide a meaningful pathway for young talent, but the Pakenham Warriors feel they’ve got the mix just right.

The local Big V basketball club has more members than most neighbouring football and cricket clubs combined and has teams stacked with star youngsters – including its Youth League men’s and women’s sides.

Leading the way for the Warriors in the spotlight is the Division 2 men’s outfit, led by first year senior coach Brent Russell.

In his mid-20s, he’s younger than a number of the players he’ll be coaching but he’s massively excited about the challenge that lies ahead and the potential for championship glory.

Russell is confident that his group can win its way out of Division 2 but he – and his group – know how much hard work lies ahead.

Big man Brad Bridgewater will be Pakenham basketball’s biggest drawcard this season and his impact will be felt as much on the court as it will off it.

He has played for many years at State Championship level and is also a graduate of LSU – the same US college that Shaquille O’Neal and Ben Simmons once called home. He’s also a former Harlem Globetrotter who acquired the nickname ‘Dunk Man’ for his ability to score above the rim.

“I want this team to be about the next four or five years,” Russell said.

“The aim is to develop, and to win and take that next step and give a better pathway for our juniors to come through and play some good standard basketball.

“Brad is a huge pick-up and he’s a big key for our success story. He’s someone who really wants to help build this club and get the right pathways in place.”

Bridgewater will mentor the Warriors’ rising crop of young big men including Tyler Hogg, who will also step into the men’s program this season.

Pakenham favourite James Topp has returned to the Warriors and will provide plenty of versatility and invaluable leadership on both ends of the floor. A real stat sheet stuffer, Topp has an incredible all-round ability.

“He’s kind of the underdog now, or the dark horse,” Russell said.

“He’s come out of nowhere and his leadership straight away is one thing that we’ve really noticed – his leadership of both the senior and junior guys is through the roof. “He really wants to be around the club – he’s been down at Sunday trainings helping out with our junior program so he’s really putting his hand up with that side of things too.

“He’s a fantastic bloke too so to have him in the team and the club is huge.”

Ben Gaze, who had a stellar 2016 campaign, will return to the Warriors as captain this season and Russell could barely contain his excitement.

“I honestly didn’t think we’d get Gazey again but I’m so, so glad that we did,” he said. “He’s our captain this year and again he’s just a phenomenal leader – both on the floor and off it. He’s a local boy and one of the hardest working players on the team.

“This year we’ve probably got three guys who can get double-teamed so I think this year is going to be a much better one for him.”

Former Casey Division 1 guard Brad Szalek has also joined the Warriors’ ranks and will be invaluable on both ends of the floor.

“He takes the right shots and he can shoot the ball as well, so he’s a really good combo guard to have,” Russell said.

“Defense is where it starts for him and defending the guard spot in Division 2 he’s not going to come up against too many tall guards, and his attack on the basket is great as well and probably something we lacked a bit of last year.

“He’s brought a lighter side to the team too – he’s the team joker. Everyone loves him and I think this is his second chance to really go out there as a leader and develop in his own role and really take the league by storm.”

Nick Ross and Rob Maartens have also bolstered the Warriors ranks and both have a genuine ability to spread the floor and give opposing defenses massive headaches.

Trent Lee, Craig Drew and Mike Godfrey will return from last year’s crop as a trio of physical, defensive-minded guards who refuse to take a backward step or shy away from contact, while Josh Bjelan is set to bolster Russell’s front court arsenal. If Cody Fredrickson continues to develop at the same rate he did last season he’ll also be an incredible asset.

“I think we’ve selected a really good squad this year – they just want to be one family and give back to the club,” Russell said.

“We don’t want guys playing at a high level in juniors who then have nowhere to go. “We want to keep our kids at the club and create a better pathway.”