Ararat Redbacks are prepared for the upcoming Country Basketball League 2019-20 season despite losing Ballarat Miner Zac Dunmore.
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Dunmore was a standout in the 2018-19 season for the Redbacks, a dominant figure on the court.
Dunmore will be a big loss for the Ararat based team, a loss returning coach Marcus Jenkins said had changed some roles within the side.
"Obviously with Zac not coming back, focusing on his journey in his basketball career, it is a big change for the team," he said.
"We're not looking too bad. We're very young again, the same as last year.
"We've got some talented players who have the ability to step up for us and fill any roles which are left empty."
Jenkins said with youth on their side, the Redbacks were in a great position when considering the future of the sport in Ararat.
"Give the young bodies two to three more years in the system, Ararat will be a great competitive side," he said.
"Like everything you have to take baby steps and our vision is to bring homegrown juniors through to senior basketball level."
Jenkins praised the efforts of Josh Fiegert who won a Youth League championship at the Ballarat Miners in August.
"He has more experience behind him now I will be looking at him to be stepping up and taking control on the court," he said.
"Every player will have a role which I will expect them to fulfil."
The Redbacks have trained once a week in the off-season due to football commitments from the players.
"It's about player management at this time of year and limiting the wear and tear on bodies," he said.
"I don't want to burn players out and a lot is in football finals - I don't want any players to miss playing finals because they've worked themselves too hard.
"A lot of the players still play domestic competition on a Wednesday night.
"Once football season is finished we will ramp up the training a bit more. We train on a Monday night and I encourage anyone who would like to have a look at the team before the start of the season to come down and support the players representing the town."
President Casanda Woods said the committee were looking forward to the season starting.
"From the administration side of things we are ready to go," she said.
"We've got our new flooring laid and our scoreboard up.
"We're waiting on our new backboards and the plan is to have them in before the CBL season starts."
The Ararat Redbacks will face the Millicent Magic at home in their first contest on Sunday October 13.
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