Tara Murray
Wyndham has turned to youth for this year’s Big V women’s state championship season.
Under coach Gerard Hillier in his second season, Wyndham will have a fairly new line up.
The club has recruited imports Amanda Paschal and Gianna Smith to provide support for the players who are coming through.
Hillier said things were looking pretty good heading into the season.
“We have a fairly new group with a number of younger players,” he said.
“We definitely wanted a younger group and I always focus on a youth group and a couple of strong imports and a couple of senior players.
“We had a slightly aged team for the last couple of years, and COVID made them assess what they were doing with their time.
“It jump started bringing in the younger players. They’re a core group we can build around for five or six years.”
Hillier said the two imports were already making their presence felt in the pre-season matches and in the community.
The pair have been getting out in the community and schools, with the association seeing a number of people enquiring about joining the club.
“Amanda Paschal comes from the University of Kentucky and is a natural leader and will help the side out on both ends,” Hillier said.
“Gianna Smith is from the University of Carolina. She’s really strong bodied and will provide a presence.
“She has a lot of energy.”
The two will provide leadership to the likes of Dyani Ananiev, Rachel Kerr, Tanielle Knight and MacKenzie Drew, who are some of the younger players who will get their opportunity this season.
Knight was this week named in the Victorian under-20 navy team for the national championships.
Wyndham will face National Basketball League 1 side Keilor Thunder in a practice match on Sunday.
It’s one of a number of pre-season matches the club has scheduled ahead of the March 19 season opener.
The team play Chelsea in that game.
Hillier said despite having a younger side, nothing changes in terms of expectations.
“We still expect to win it. “They still compete, but we are mindfield they are young and the development will come.”
