Launceston Basketball Association: City Rockets season review

With a young roster which they look set to keep and a need to replace Tasmania JackJumper Sejr Deans next season, the Rockets have plenty of questions to solve.

What they say

The Rockets fell just short of securing back-to-back premierships after being edged out in the grand final. Despite the result, coach Brett Smith is taking plenty of positives.

"Disappointing to lose a grand final but it was always going to be a 50-50 game, against a strong, experienced side that have plenty of finals experience," Smith said.

"Very proud of our young players and they all improved significantly during the season, while we'll lose two or three to studies and basketball, overseas and interstate, our depth should help us cover that."

Breakout player

With the likes of Deans and league MVP Lachlan Brewer on their roster this season, the Rockets were loaded with enviable scoring talent.

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However, another name has turned heads at the Rockets.

"Sejr was good as he always is and Lachie Brewer had an outstanding season and won the most valuable player in the league but Caleb Nason was probably our most improved player," Smith said.

"Coming from playing limited minutes early in the season to ending up playing 25 minutes in the grand final, his improvement was outstanding."

Off-season target

In the grand final, Rockets were out bodied by the more physical Devils outfit, especially in the paint. That should shape the Rockets off-season shopping list.

"We probably just missed that veteran bigger body player with a cool head," Smith said.

"We will need a bigger, experienced player so we'll certainly pick up someone there but we'll develop and continue to play our juniors."

The big question

Sejr Deans took a major role in offence this season and it paid off big-time. Now off to the JackJumpers, the Rockets brain-trust have a problem to solve.

"You can't replace Sejr, the other guys have got to keep improving and making their game better ... we always knew he was going to go onto bigger and better things," Smith said.

"We'll just have to develop our youth that have come through the juniors and that's the best way to go."

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Nominations are open from Wednesday, April 14, and will close at midnight on October 4.

Entries must include a photograph of the entrant.