2006/2007 SEASON REVIEW

I just wanted to take the opportunity before our last game of the season to say a huge thank you to all our supporters, sponsors and volunteers that have allowed us to have had such a successful season. Despite all my talk of potential and promises of development and performances, the truth is that we have surpassed even my own expectations and the wildest dreams of the club. To stick with the same group of home grown players is always justifiable in the long term but it is the individuals personal improvement coupled with our team ethos that have allowed us to achieve so many short term gains.

Let’s remind ourselves that we started the season with an injury and illness crisis. The gifted and athletic Tad Gray, Mike Bishop and Lee Riviello were denied a whole season’s development and I even had to ‘kit-up’ for the game away to NEWI Nets! The crazy thing is that when we started the season 4-4 we felt we had done well, not knowing that this was going to be our worst spell of the season and effectively cost us automatic promotion.

The truth is though, that this spell alongside early Feb when we had availability problems, turned out to be the making of the Tigers. Individual players who were being groomed for the future were forced to play big minutes in the limelight.

All these young players of course are great scorers with huge talent. Whilst we struggled defensively while players adjusted to the physicality and need for concentration as this level, we were always capable of keeping the scoreboard ticking over. The 114 points we scored away to Leicester gave us all more that glimpse of where we were going.

Raw talents like Joe Saunders and Dan Howe became key offensive threats whilst the thoroughbred that is Jordan Seeley could enjoy a free reign, an unusual luxury at this stage of his development. Mike Sebire became a rock in the Tigers set-up, never letting us down and the Bird Man himself proved that he could become much more than a ‘special team’ threat.

The result was that as experienced players returned fit and healthy we were left with the deepest bench in the league. I was able to dictate a much more aggressive game plan returning to Tigers running roots. In addition I can now change the whole look of the team to suit us against anything the opposition might throw at us.

Joe Andrews has developed into one of most rounded players in the league. He continues to add to his offensive repertoire whilst leading and supporting others. His heart and soul set him apart from other players in this league and I am convinced his growth will continue with Taunton’s until both of us reach the top.

Paul Yabsley is another player who has worked so hard to continue to improve his game. His outside shot is now statistically right up there and his decision making has been at the core of our winning mentality. Despite his talent and rising performance levels, I believe his best is still to come.

Richard Anderson has proved all the doubters wrong again scoring heavily against all opposition. He has carried niggling injuries throughout the season but has worked on and improved all aspects of his game and demonstrates a thirst to continue learning. His brother Kevin struggled with fitness post injury but is now returning to his best form at the right time. Kev has such a solid all-round game and his basketball brain and off-ball movement give him a real edge.

Matt Nolan remains an ‘untouchable’ in my eyes for important times in games. His defensive intensity and court presence will always make him a crowd favourite at Fort Wellsprings. When he is relaxed and confident I always feel we can’t lose. The power and passion of the Polish Puncewicz (try and say that with your teeth out!) has added some sparkle to the squad and we look forward to his contributions in the future.

Thanks to Dave Bullock who stepped in when we most needed his size and experience. A club man through and through has once again made his own significant contribution as a player in addition to the support he provides us in many ways.

That leaves me with Mr Jones. I always find it impossible to discuss Graham effectively in writing so I’ll keep it brief and don’t care if I risk repeating something I have previously said. He is simply inspirational to us all. He makes us all better and has laid down the blueprint for the development of all future Tigers teams. Whether as a player, a leader, a father or a man he sets the standard for all of us.

We have every reason to believe that next season will be even better. I am reluctant to bring in anybody from outside that would not fit into the Tigers way so I have kept my recruitment drive focussed around Taunton Academy graduates. I am at present talking to Mills, Clifford and Spearman about joining the squad and I am hopeful that one or more of them will strengthen our roster come September. Watch out for maybe one more surprise too.

BEST MOMENTS

Home to Derby was fairly special. The away win by 1 point to Tamar on the buzzer was very important to us. The big home win against NEWI Nets gave us the belief that we wee playing the right style of basketball.

But above all those, was the home game against Kent. We were without Paul, Rich and Kev. Joe Andrews was injured so he coached. I watched the game in disgrace, suspended (from home cup game vs. Kent) and sitting in the stands. Kent brought 12 players and their strongest team. No-one could have predicted the overtime win that announced the club as a major force. Dan Howe picked up the MVP that day but I know he would have been happy to share it with you guys who lifted some players to new heights.

I wrote an article earlier in the season about ‘One big club’. We are now one bigger club! Ronnie Heath (Head Coach)