THE Hawkesbury Jets and Penrith Panthers began the off-season with a bidding war for key players and, at first, it appeared the Jets had virtually scooped the pool.
The Jets announced the signing of multiple State League grand final most valuable player Adam Simp- son (2007-08), shooting guard Paul Skinner and power forward Bruce Wells to give their 2009 program wonderful depth and fabulous credentials for the title.
However, the news soured slightly with Simpson announcing he would be heading overseas on work commitments mid-year and subsequent- ly withdrew from the Jets' squad.
Incoming Hawkesbury coach Barry Sutherland will still feel he has a great chance of capturing the title, with Skinner and Wells joining an already successful squad and ? the club hopes ? providing that essential ingredient to bring home the premiership flag.
Former Hawkesbury junior Scott Wagner, who is returning home from Penrith's Youth League program, is the club's other recruit, joining old hands Graham Godwin, Dusty Olsen, Chris Elias, Steve Wilczak, Russell Mason, Ben Hawkesley, Rhys Daley and Robert Crane in the squad.
The Jets have also named six strong squads for next year's Sydney Jun- ior Basketball Championships.
Led by Youth League Men, the ann- ouncement of the junior teams alm- ost completes the selection process for 2009, with only the women's State League squad to be named.
Head coach Bill Anderson is bel- ieved to be on the verge of naming the squad and interest is peaking in the district over which players will be chosen in the inaugural Jets' senior women's team.The Squads are:
State League Men: Robbie Crane, Rhys Daley, Chris Elias, Graham Godwin, Ben Hawkesley, Russell Mason, Dustin Olsen, Paul Skinner, Scott Wagner, Bruce Wells, Steve Wilczak. Head coach: Barry Sutherland. Assistants: Peter Fenton, Brad McGuiness.
Youth League Men: Adam Galea, Lachlan Giffin, Bobby Greenaway, Chris Ingold, Brendan King, Shannon Klein, Chris Knox, Tom Lee, Beau Plummer, Josh Plummer, Tim Powell, Ethan Wagener, Brent Walker, Rob Whelan, Jamie Wood. Coach: Austin Watson. Assistant: Tim Lewis.
Under 18 Boys: Nathan Airey, Luke Bailey, Matt Boulton, Royce Davies, Cory Eather, Cameron Harris, Mitch Hicks, Bill Karakatsanis, Giles King, Zac Mitchell, Troy Morgan, Miles Sneddon. Head coach: Brad McGuiness. Assistant: Chris Knox.
Under 16 Boys: Alex Athanasakos, Robert Balna, Alex Banguls, Jordan Bell, Tim Bowerman, Darryl Dizon, Amat Gak, Michael Matias, William Pickard, Raphael Rigor, Daniel Wakeling. Coach: Jason Padroth.
Under 16 Girls: Rachael Cowley, Shelby Flood, Taylor Galea, Rebecca Gorman, Lucy Kutzer, Amy McGlynn, Georgia Page, Claire Stafford. Coach: Jon Bailey.
Under 14 Boys: Mackenzie Anderson, Jesse Brown, Samuel Butcher, Finn Coleman, Cameron Collett, Luke Croft, Isaac Courtelis, Jake Dauncey, Aiden Harris, Joel Lyons, Charlie Minogue. Coach: Cleo Pickard.
Under 14 girls: Monique Burden, Carly Flood, Maddison Black, Andee Kutzer, Katelyn Eather, Mackenzie Lawrence, Vikki Hack, Kate Field, Alex O'Neill, Alina Gojic. Coach: Leonie Shearer.
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