The Queensland Australian Basketball League (QABL) 2003 season kicks off this weekend with many local derbies to be contested in Week 1. All teams from the 2002 season have returned to have the competition once again consisting of two divisions, the Super 8 Division and the Southern Cross Division.

The Super 8 Division will consist of men’s and women’s teams from the following clubs: Brisbane Capitals, Cairns, Gold Coast, Kuiyam Pride, Mackay, Rockhampton, South West Metro Pirates and Townsville. The Southern Cross Division will consist of men’s and women’s teams from: Bundaberg, Coastal Suns, Hervey Bay Hurricanes, Ipswich Eagles, Maroochydore Clippers, Northside Wizards, Southern Districts Spartans, Toowoomba Mountaineers and Tweed Coast Slammers.

Listed below are previews of all week 1 games.

Men

South West Metro FILEforce Pirates v Gold Coast Goannas

Gold Coast will travel to Runcorn to take on the South West Metro Pirates this weekend for their first hit out of the 2003 QABL season.  Gold Coast have added some players to this years line up in hopes of improving their seasons results from last year while South West have added some young talent into their roster plus introducing veteran guard Scott Lloyd.  This will be a close encounter for both teams as they match up well against each other.

Kuiyam “Employnet” Pride v Cairns Marlins

Timmy Duggan, Billy Ross and Ben Johnson will lead Kuiyam’s charge as they host their counter parts of the Far North Region, Cairns.  Cairns will be looking to extend their successful campaign of 2003 with a win against the Pride through star guard Aaron Grabau. 

Rockhampton Stadium Nightclub Rockets v Brisbane Capitals

The Rockhampton rockets had a poor record against last years reining champs the Brisbane Capitals and will be out to rectify this from their first game this year. Whilst losing some key players Brisbane have been able to replace them with much needed height.  It will be a tall order for Rockhampton to get a win this weekend but playing at home might be the key for their first game.

Mackay Meteors v Townsville McDonalds Heat

One of the most anticipated games of the round will see the always strong Townsville Heat take on a new and exciting looking Mackay Meteors team this weekend.  After having a stint in the NBL James Smith is returning to Mackay and will be playing along side Reggie Ellis another player for teams to watch out for.  Townsville boast a roster full of experience with Grant Kruger leading his men into battle looking to get their first win of the season in Mackay.

Bundaberg Bulls v Hervey Bay Kondari Resort Hurricanes

The battle of the wide bay region will see Hervey Bay travelling to Bundaberg for their first encounter this weekend.  Both teams will be looking to be the strong force in the north of the Southern Cross Division while Bundaberg have a small line up they are bound to quick and entertaining with guards Jace Kerinan and Matt Williams.  Hervey bay will have to replace a big hole in Lloyd Lewis who has moved onto the Brisbane Bullets this year, but they will have no trouble in firing up for this Northern Challenge.

Southern Districts Keema Spartans v Northside Wizards

The most anticipated game of the Southern Cross Division will be played at the Clem Jones centre this weekend when last years top two teams replay last years finals with new look teams.  The Wizards will be working hard to replace star power forward Mick Young who has moved onto semi – professional basketball in Melbourne.  While Southern Districts will have to find some new firepower from within themselves to replace lost scorers like Gerhard Patzold and Matt Edmonds.

Maroochydore Clippers v Coastal Suns

Maroochydore will host the newest franchise entered into the Southern Cross division, Coastal Suns, who boast a strong back court in guards Leigh Saunders, John Fitzgerald, and Matt McGlynn.  While Maroochydore have added Alistair Wilson who returns from finishing College in the USA and Frank Norton after a season off from injury.  Maroochydore are also under the new direction of Head Coach Michael Kenny.  Coastal Suns will be out to prove their team is a force to be reckoned with as these two teams will battle for Sunshine Coast supremacy.

Mixwell Ipswich Eagles v Toowoomba Mountaineers

In the off season Ipswich have done some recruiting starting with newly appointed Head Coach, Danny Breen.  Coach Breen has gone about picking his team, which is going to be a strong force in the Southern Cross Division this year, boasting the height of Ryan Stolberg, Bruce Hamiltion and Mick Catlin while utilising guards Pete Issitt and Trent Goodrick.  Toowoomba will come down the mountain to squash any hopes of Ipswich getting off to a good start.  Toowoomba will be looking to continue on last year’s performance and they will depend heavily on Mark Micallef last year’s Southern Cross Division MVP.

Women

South West Metro FILEforce Pirates v Gold Coast Gliders

Both teams are under new leadership for this year’s campaign in the Super 8 division.  South West have bestowed the responsibility on previous assistant coach Paul Saltmarsh, who will endeavour to prove the Pirates can win consistently at home this year when they host the Gold Coast Gliders.  Neil Grantham the new Head Coach of the Gliders will have his work cut out as he tries to replace current Opal player Jenny Whittle.

Kuiyam “Employnet” Pride v Cairns Dolphins

The Pride will be looking to replicate last years success of making it to the final series in their first season of entering the Super 8 Division.  Being tapped at the post in their hunt for a perfect season will be their fuel for these early games in wanting to start off the year on a winning note.  Kerry Claydon, Nicki Thompson and the Cairns Dolphins will want to stop the Pride in getting off to a good start when they travel to Fretwell Park to take on the Pride.

Rockhampton Hogs Breath Café Cyclones v Brisbane Capitals

With last years Championship team the Brisbane Capitals have lost Kirsty Dallas, Julie Stringer and Melanie Rowden they have been able to replace them with some juniors coming up through the system.  Brisbane are also under new the former assistant coach and now Head Coach Rick Castle who will be working hard to get their first win in Rockhampton.  The cyclones will suit up a very similar to team to previous years to counter the capitals.

Mackaty Meteorettes v Townsville Aubrey & Assoc AMP Flames

Townsville will head down to Mackay to tackle the new look Mackay Meteorites under tutelage of new Head Coach Mark Wrobel.  Coach Wrobel has cleared out his program with a turn over of 11 players of which star import Tami Standish from Portland university will be looking to make a big impact early in the season.  With Townsville yet to secure some of their WNBL players this game will be an interesting encounter to see who can start the year on a positive note.

Bundaberg Bears v Hervey Bay Hurricanes

The Bundaberg Bears will again suit up a young roster with hopes of extending their proven record with young players.  While Kylie Powell will give the Bears the experience they need this year to improve on last years record.  Hervey Bay however will be looking to hold the title of champions of the Wide Bay region when they travel into Bundaberg to prove they have what it takes this year.

Southern Districts Lady Spartans v Northside Wizards

Last years champions and undefeated winners in the Southern Cross Division will be aiming to continue their strong hold on the competition and the Northside Wizards when they face off this weekend.  Districts have a similar line up to last year, while the Wizards Head Coach Mik Scott will be looking to improve on the team he has been developing over the past 2 years into a formidable opponent.

Maroochydore Clippers v Coastal Suns

Head Coach of the Maroochydore Clippers Beryl Page has been busy in the off season recruiting back some previous players in Danielle Stewart who returns from University in Townsville and Sarah Robertson who returns from Hervery Bay.  They will be facing the newly formed Coastal Suns group who evolved from the strong nucleus from Caloundra.

Mixwell Ipswich Eagles v Toowoomba Mountaineers

Toowoomba are shaping up to be a strong force in the league this year, adding players like Melissa Tape and Melissa Tronc to their roster.  Young recruits who are hoping to make a big impact in the league this year will support them. Ipswich have kept a similar unit from what has worked well in the past and will be looking for a finals berth this year.