Posted on 15 March, 2012

The Pioneers released both their imports (Fernandez Lockett and CJ Webster) for the 2012 season, recruiting new players in guard Bryant McAllister and athletic big Paul Davis, for this season’s campaign.  With a new coach in former Adelaide 36ers Assistant Coach Richard Hill bringing a hardnosed, uncompromising brand of basketball to the team, they will be looking to get off to a rapid start this weekend.

The Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras will go into the 2012 season with a relatively un-changed line-up adding only two new players and promoting three Development League players. Kilsyth were sad to see 2011 captain and defensive specialist, Quincy Henderson, depart at the end of the 2011 taking with him experience and work ethic. However, with room for a new import the Cobras signed highly recommended Garfield Blair from Stetson University, who will no doubt bolster the team’s scoring stocks with his creativity and effective shot selection. 

Kilsyth keep four of their starting five for the 2012 season with Guard Zach Malvik and big man Auryn Macmillan returning with the 2012 captain Matt O’Hea. Centre Time Lang is due to return after completion of his NBL commitments. The Swinburne Cobras will look to get off to a fast start with the pain of last season’s East Conference Preliminary Final exit still fresh in their minds.

Kilsyth add youngsters Adam Knott, Aaron Reinbott and Kieran Murphy to the 2012 line-up, all of whom have graduated from the Cobras D-League and are looking at making an impact at the SEABL level and exciting swingman Matt Cromarty returns home to Kilsyth after a journey to the Big V with Bulleen and Blackburn.

Kilsyth fans should expect a dynamic and exciting season from this group. 

The Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras kick off their 2012 campaign on Hugh McMenamin Court against the Mt Gambier Pioneers on Sunday March 18 tip-off at 2.00pm.