Carey Paps will have the honour of coaching Vic Metro in the women’s Big V Origin All Stars game in Shepparton on Saturday night.
It is much-deserved recognition for service to the game from the long-time Keilor Thunder coach.
“I’m looking forward to it, especially just to put on the Big V polo top, which is always a buzz,” Paps told Star Weekly.
“I’ve been in the league for a long time and won a couple of championships with the Keilor men and women but it’s the first time I’ve been honoured like that.”
The Metro team will be made up of some of the brightest up-and-coming prospects in Victorian basketball and Paps has praised the metro-country concept.
“It gives the younger girls a bit of a buzz to be part of the team and a weekend away,” Paps said.
“Every time they play at club level it’s a pretty intense game, whereas with this they can relax and show a bit of what they can do.”
Paps will ditch the stern game face and tight defensive set-ups to allow a more offensive game style to take place.
He wants the players to be able to express themselves on the court and put on a show for the crowd.
“It’s just all about having a bit of fun, so there’s not going to be too much defence,” Paps said.
“It also has to be entertaining for people watching, so you let them play in these types of games.
“I’d rather have a 98-90-type win than a 60-40.
“It gives these girls a bit of exposure to display their skills.”
Keilor will have four players involved in Big V Origin All Stars weekend.
Young point guard Amy Smith and forward/guard Alexandra McKellar will be in the women’s team, while Cory Bellman and David Pino have been selected in the Metro men’s team.
