The year 2022 was one where Shepparton Gators’ basketball program ticked a lot of boxes.
From attracting sell-out crowds at Shepparton Sports Stadium to developing a number of exciting young players, this past year showed the game is in excellent shape in the region.
However, there was one important box they narrowly fell short of ticking.
And that was premiership glory in the Big V division one competition.
But three months on from their heartbreaking grand final series loss to Bellarine, the Gators are not fixating on the past, with a host of recent announcements signifying they will be back bigger and better in 2023.
On the basketball side of things the club has confirmed coach Josh Waight will be going around again.
He will be joined by inspirational captain Matt Bartlett, leader Sam Beks and crucial role players Nick Dodd and Ian Wright in returning to the Swamp.
Although they will likely lose the services of big man Matt Andronicos, who is set for retirement, Gators publicity officer Stephen Beks said things were shaping up well for a strong campaign.
“We think we will absolutely be there or thereabouts next year, at the moment we are sharpening up the pencil with a few players we are talking to,” Beks said.
“There are a couple of player losses from last year which is always disappointing, but at the same time we have re-signed the vast majority of our core guys who will be desperate to go one better.
“Following on from that we are getting close to securing a few international imports that will add some firepower to our roster.
“So with Josh Waight our coach also coming back next year, the list is shaping up to contend strongly once again.”
The Gators also announced their first recruit for the upcoming season, with Benalla big man Lachlan Kego set to bolster the team’s depth.
“Lachie is a 22-year-old that stands at six-foot-eight with so much untapped athletic potential,” Beks said.
“So we think he is just going to add to the group we are trying to assemble and will be a pivotal player for us next year.”
While the on-field position of the club is strong, it is off the field where it is truly thriving.
Capturing the heart of the local basketball community through their finals run last season, people piled into the Swamp in the thousands to watch the boys in purple do their thing.
With interest in the sport at incredible heights in Shepparton, the club has cashed in, bringing in new platinum sponsors Gagliardi Scott Real Estate and CAF Consulting along with name partner Ken Muston MG.
Beks said it was wonderful to welcome these local brands on board as it showed how popular the game was becoming.
“Bringing in these new sponsors I think just shows how much we built last season and the popularity of the team in town,” he said.
“Our number one goal is being as close to a professional outfit as possible and the support of these businesses is really going to help us in achieving that.
“In terms of locals playing the game, there are more people playing in the Greater Shepparton Basketball Association than ever before, our crowd numbers are fantastic and we just cannot wait to see what we can achieve in 2023 and beyond.”