IN the sports sporting landscape, they say year two is always easier than year one.
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The players know the coach's systems and what his expectations are for them, while on the flip side, the coach knows each players' strengths and how they can benefit the team best.
That's exactly why Scott Balsar has high hopes for his Illawarra Hawks going into their 2021 NSW Basketball youth league men's campaign.
"With close to half the boys being a part of our coaching system for more than one year now, it gives us a massive leg up on where we were this time last season," Balsar said.
"Those players know how we like to operate and can help build on the foundations and culture we built last season, allowing the new players to transition seamlessly."
The returning sextet in Balsar's squad, who have been training on the court since November, are Tom Cranney, Aaron Puljic, Joah Furney-Goodwin, Harry Morris, Zachary Ottosson and Sam Giles.
"That continuity has allowed us to pick up from where we left off and apart from a couple of weeks off in January, we have been all systems go," Bomaderry resident Balsar said.
"It's also helped we've had no interruptions like last season, which was very stop-start and really hurt us in the end.
"But we've learnt from that, have a better understanding of what it takes to excel in this league and will be ready to showcase that when tip-off arrives."
Adding to the excitement of Balsar and his coach staff, which now includes Eric Kivi and Jason Funnell (who is working with Balsar for the third straight season), are the additions of a number of key players.
One is 2019 competition MVP Brandon Friere, who has just returned from a stint in the United States with Saint Martin's University.
"Brandon is as solid of a big man as you'll find in this competition and he will make us very hard to defend both inside and outside the paint," Balsar said.
"The last time he played in this league, he was the MVP - he's now an even better player, so we're expecting big things from him."
Other new players Balsar is excited about are ACT product Harry Matthew, Port Macquarie's Adam Koch, Blacktown's Patrick Gilmour, Nowra's Kyle Leslie and returning Illawarra junior Mason Scott.
"Harry is one of the top prospects to come out of Canberra in years, having trained at both NBA Global Academy and Basketball Australia camps," Balsar said.
"He's a super quick guard, who will pester opponents defensively and is a perfect fit the way we want to play.
"Adam [Koch] and Patrick [Gilmore] are strong big men, who are not afraid to throw their size around.
"Both are thriving in the new basketball setting and have come a long way in a couple of weeks - both have the potential to be special in my eyes.
"Mason [Scott] is another guard who will be an asset to the backcourt, especially having played in the junior ranks with guys like Harris Morris.
"He's a real competitor, a solid communicator and someone who can bring calmness to our team when needed.
"Finally, Kyle [Leslie], once he returns from the US, will bring another dimension to our side as a lights-out shooter from the perimeter."
It's these additions, as well as players such as Anakin Hughes, Tyler Ottosson and Liam Buchanan, which has Balsar optimistic about their chances in 2021.
"The goal over the next couple of weeks is just to fine-tune our schemes, both offensively and defensively," Balsar, who's squad will take part in a two-day camp at the Shoalhaven Indoor Sports Centre this weekend, said.
"Everyone's progression thus far has been exceptional and if we continue on that arc, we are going to turn some heads at the pre-season tournament (to be held at the Snakepit from March 20-21).
"Although those games don't count as such, it will give us a chance to set the tone for the season, as the majority of our youth league rivals will be in attendance.
"It will also give us a chance to see what line-ups work, which plays need adjusting and how we are travelling as a group ahead of the official season tip-off in April.
"Once we do, all of us are keen to show we belong in that all-important top-four and have what it takes to hang the Hawks first-ever youth league banner in the Snakepit."
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