Gators vice-captain Sam Beks excited to get back in front of ‘best fans in the league’ this Saturday

Now, after a gruelling six-month wait, the Gators squad will finally get to feel that energy again, as they welcome Bulleen for their 2023 home-opener this Saturday night.

While the crowds last year were, according to Beks, “the best in Big V basketball”, he said he expected the Shepparton faithful to take it to another level this season in a bid to lift their beloved Gators to premiership glory.

“We are super excited to get back home, we had the best home crowd by far last year and that’s not just in division one, I think we rivalled NBL1 clubs in the atmosphere we created here at the Swamp,” Beks said.

“So as players, having that support just makes us super keen to get out there and perform for them.

“The home crowd advantage we had last year really helped us last year, and with the growth of the game in the town we expect that to go to another level this season.

“The Gators faithful will definitely be a sixth man for us all season, and with four home games in a row coming up in April we are confident they will get us off to a fast start.”

Hitting the Shepparton Sports Stadium court for the first time since their devastating grand final loss to Bellarine Storm, the Gators will be desperate to show the faithful they have improved over the off-season.

Sporting a new-look squad headlined by boom international recruits Derek Murphy (USA) and Josh Kooiman, early signs look promising as they began their Big V division one campaign with a gritty five-point road win against Warrnambool last week.

Beks said the win served as a perfect way to start the season and a sign of the squad’s potential.

“We knew coming into the game we had lost the last two times we had gone down there, and with it being the longest road trip of the season it was really good to get it out of the way early,” he said.

“Having a bit of a new group, the opportunity to get away and travel together was invaluable and I think it has really helped our chemistry both on and off the court, which showed in the way we ground out the win.

“On paper I feel this is the most talented squad we’ve had in my three years here, we just need to pull it all together now, but early signs are very promising in the way we are gelling.”

From an individual standpoint, season 2023 is set to be the biggest in Beks’ career to date.

Taking on more responsibility, he now carries the mantle of vice-captain, while he has also carved out a crucial role as the team’s starting power forward.

With so much talent surrounding him on the floor, he said he could not wait to see how playing with the likes of Murphy and Kooiman would help develop his game.

“I’m super keen to take more of the reins from a leadership standpoint as vice-captain and just bring more positive vibes to make both training and games more enjoyable for the team,” he said.

“Individually I want to grow more as a three-point shooter, last year I thought I showed my strengths as a scorer but I feel that long-range shooting is an area that can make me even more dangerous as a player.

“With so many great guys around me, it is going to be great to learn off them and help motivate us as a group to keep getting better.”

But while he works towards improving his own game, when it comes to his goal for the season there is just one thing that drives him.

“Last year was a very painful experience losing in the grand final, so I want to make sure we get back there and win it this time,” he said.

“The experience we all gained last year will be invaluable for us this time around, and hopefully the cards fall into place and we can get back to that stage again.”

Shepparton Gators will welcome Bulleen for their first home game of the season, with tip-off at 7pm at Shepparton Sports Stadium.