Deba the Marlins' mailman
DEBA George is set to add an X-factor to the Cairns Marlins' attack this season after impressing in the team's only pre-season trial match of the season.
The nippy guard scored 24 points in Marlins Blue’s 95-69 loss to Marlins Black in a Queensland Basketball League inter-squad challenge at the Bendigo Bank Basketball Centre on Sunday.
George produced stunning numbers for the Atherton Harriers in the FNQ basketball Super League last season, including a haul of 62 points against
Mulgrave.
Assistant coach Jamie Pearlman said the Marlins were
debating whether to use George as a starter or an impact player off the bench.
"He’s just a guy who can create something out of nothing," Pearlman said. "In situations where you need a big bucket or the shot clock is running down, you just get it in his hands and he can penetrate to the key and pass it but he’s a great three-point shooter as well so he’s a fantastic asset."
The Marlins open their QBL season on the road this weekend with games against Townsville on Friday night and Mackay on Saturday.
The Marlins have lost guard Scott Cook to Mackay this season, while centre Matt Smith has gone to the Hobart Chargers.
Pearlman admitted the side would enter the season underdone, with Rowan Gray expected to play big minutes at centre.
"We’ve had a slow start to the season in terms of preparation and we’re definitely underdone at this point in time but we’ve got players with great experience and players with a lot of ABA and NBL experience and we’re hoping that experience will get us through in the early rounds."
Former Marlins assistant Brad Burdon has taken over from new Taipans coach Aaron Fearne as head coach.
The Cairns Dolphins women’s team will enter the season under new coach Val Nancarrow.
The Dolphins had hoped to
secure reigning WNBL MVP Rohanee Cox for a second season but Mackay made her an offer she couldn’t refuse. Dolphins Blue beat Dolphins White 68-57 in trial match on Sunday.
"The girls did really well considering we really didn’t have any pre-season," Nancarrow said.
"We’ve probably had a month-and-a-half of training so basically, it’s been me learning and getting to know the girls and they did really good job considering the offences they did have to learn."
Nancarrow said Brooke Cooper and Ashley North had shown strong pre-season form. The Dolphins play Townsville on Friday and Mackay on Saturday.
Marlins Black 95 (Dwayne Vale 28, Dean Brebner 19, CJ Ahwang 17) bt Marlins Blue 69 (Deba George 24, Aaron Grabau 18, James Comino 10)
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