Ticks click all round

By Russell Bennett
THE Swinburne Cobras have announced a trio of crucial signings in the lead-up to the 2012 SEABL season.
The club has secured Stetson University graduate and star import Garfield Blair for the men’s team, while the Lady Cobras’ 2011 assistant coach Peter Gay will take the head coaching reins of the women’s team – with new signing Sarah Parsons one of his key charges.
Blair graduated from Stetson in 2009 after four years with the Hatters – twice earning All-Atlantic Sun Conference honours.
Cobras head coach Grant Wallace said Blair had “the right qualities” and was a great fit for the Kilsyth team after the departure of Quency Henderson.
“Garfield comes highly recommended by coach Derek Waugh from Stetson University as a quality person of high standing, a great competitor and a wonderful rounded game,” he said.
“From the brief of the player we required to replace Q, we believe Garfield ticks all the boxes and will be a wonderful addition to our club.”
Peter Gay will return to the Lady Cobras sidelines in 2012, this time as head coach. He currently has the honour of being an undefeated SEABL head coach, after taking the reins for five games for five wins throughout the 2011 season while Cheryl Chambers was away on Australian Gems commitments.
Before coming across to Kilsyth in 2011, Gay was head coach of the senior women’s team at Diamond Valley for seven seasons, taking it from Division Two to a Championship in the Big V.
Director of basketball operations Rod Popp said he believed Gay was the right fit to take over the reins from Chambers, having already developed relationships with the players.
“The club is very pleased to have Peter Gay coach our Lady Cobras in Season 2012,” Popp said.
“Peter has been a very successful coach in his own right and will be a fine addition and contributor to the club.”
Kilsyth Junior and former SEABL Lady Cobra player Sarah Parsons will also return for the 2012 SEABL Season.
Parsons began her basketball career with Kilsyth, playing representative basketball before being selected to represent the Lady Cobras in SEABL at just 17 in 2004.
She then played the next six seasons at Kilsyth, helping the side to the 2008 championship.