Slammers to return in tourney

Regional SBL clubs will return to the court next month for the West Coast Classic — a new State basketball amateur competition for 2020.

The 10-week tournament, which will involve all men’s and women’s programs across SBL teams, will tip off on July 24.

Each team will play each side within their competition once on a home and away basis, with fixtures to be announced in due course.

SBL general manager Adam Bowler praised all clubs for their willingness to make it happen.

“The clubs have embraced this opportunity to get back on the court and engage with our basketball community,” he said.

The top four teams across both men’s and women’s competitions will compete in a shortened playoff campaign in late-September.

For the Printsync South West Slammers, both men’s and women’s programs will look a little different.

Women’s coach Nathan Grover will be without overseas trio Brittni Montgomery, Mari Stewart and Tea Charlton, who all flew home when COVID-19 restrictions were enforced — while men’s import Jay Washington also returned home to the US.