Two Miners signings on guard

THE Ballarat Miners have announced the return of a local, and the signing of a new face, as they prepare for the 2023 NBL 1 South season.

A 169-centimetre-tall guard, Annie Collins will continue playing with the women’s team for a fourth year.

“I have lived in Ballarat my whole life and been a part of the Ballarat representative program since the age of 10, so for me Ballarat is home,” she said.

“There’s a lot to like about the Ballarat Miners for 2023, the community support that never fails to disappoint week in and week out, the team in the making with new and returning players and our new coach Rob Baker who has coached me for many years in juniors and seniors who brings a lot of knowledge and experience.”

Collins said she is aiming to improve on her 2022 results, with an average of 2.5 points and 13 minutes each game last year, but head coach Rob Baker said she is progressing well.

“Annie has been with the senior program for four years after being with our youth league since she was 15 and coming through the Ballarat junior ranks from under-12s,” he said.

“After being awarded an All-Star 5 position in last year’s Youth League Championship, Annie is ready to be a full-time senior Miner in 2023, with her role increasing significantly.

“Being another one of our locals, it will be exciting to see what she can produce given the opportunity at the next level.”

Meanwhile, off the back of a 2022 NBL1 West season with Perry Lakes Hawks, British-Australian shooting guard Adam Thoseby has signed on with the Miners men.

At 198 centimetres, Thoseby has NBL, European and British Basketball League experience, and had an on-court average of 16.3 points and 22 minutes on court last year.

“I’ve always enjoyed seeing how the Ballarat Miners handle themselves as a club, and I am excited to experience getting to be part of that,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to playing with the talented group of Miners that are returning and coming up from the youth league.”

Men’s head coach Luke Sunderland has known Thoseby since he was a junior, and said he has become a mature, established point scorer.

“[He] truly understands his capabilities and how to use these to put pressure on the opposition,” he said.

“Along with our other signings, Adam helps create a variety of mismatches for us on the floor and comes to Ballarat eager to help us improve in 2023.”

Matt Sheehan, member of the Miners’ elite teams committee was upbeat about the signing.

“Adam brings a wealth of experience from all over the world and has a solid NBL1 reputation which will be great for our program,” Sheehan said.

“Adam has relocated to Ballarat and we are looking forward to him being involved in our community on and off the floor.”

Thoseby’s signing brings the current Men’s Miners squad to eight out of ten names, with Nic Pozoglou, Zac Dunmore, Jordan Lingard, Max Cody, Amos Brooks. and American Imports Tyler Rudolph and Jack Davidson having previously inked their names.