Tara Murray
Keilor Thunder has locked in four young guns for next year’s National Basketball League 1 South season.
The Thunder is preparing for its second season in the competition, with new coach Trevor Burnette preparing for his first season in the hot seat.
He replaces Tom Bandilovski who guided the club to Big V success before continuing to coach the side this year in the NBL1 competition.
The side finished with a 10-12 record this year,
Jaz Salon, Jalena Savic and Macey Boyle, who have all come through the club’s junior ranks will be part of the NBL1 program next year. Erinn McAlary is the fourth signing.
Burnette said in the club’s social media post that he can’t wait to see the girls hit the floor next year.
Salon made her NBL1 debut this season, playing in five games and averaging more than 5 points a game. She was also part of the Thunder’s winning Big V youth women’s championship.
Named most valuable player in the grand final series, Salon scored 27 points in the championship winning game.
Burnette was coach of the youth league side last year.
“Jaz is a Keilor junior who’s paid her dues,” he said. “She’s a little ball of excitement that we are so happy to have on our team.
“She’s ready to play a major role this season.”
Savic was also part of that Big V championship winning team, scoring 14 points off the bench in the final game of the season.
She was also a member of the club’s under-18 Victorian Junior Basketball League team this year.
“Jelly is a Keilor junior who’s gotten better every single day I’ve been here at the club,” Burnette said.
“She’s an amazing human and kid with major upside who’s ready to be challenged.”
Boyle is another who was part of that Big V youth championship team. Burnette rates her very highly.
“Macey has played her whole junior career for Keilor,” he said. “Maybe the most underrated player to ever come through, whose impact is felt everywhere on and off the court.
McAlary is the fourth signing for the team. She joined the Thunder in recent years and was part of the club’s under-18 program this year.
Burnette said he can’t wait to see what she can do.
“Erinn has come to us from another club,” she said. “She’s a super decorator junior as she’s played for Vic Metro and is one of the premier athletes in the state.
“I’m excited to see her take on this challenge.”
