The Halifax Rainmen have two weeks to fine-tune before the Premier Basketball League season opens.
The Rainmen, who wrapped up the pre-season last night with an emphatic 128-83 win over the Vermont Frost Heaves, will practice daily at the University of King’s College before hitting the road to face the Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry on Jan. 3.
Owner Andre Levingston and head coach Les Berry now have a good feel for what their players can do, and will meet this week to determine if any changes need to be made.
“We’ve got a few things we need to discuss,” Levingston said. “We’re going to sit down and see if we think we can compete for a championship and we’ll make some decisions.”
Based on the pre-season, it’s clear guard Tony Bennett will be the Rainmen’s shining star, with complementary leading roles going to Desmond Ferguson and Eric Crookshank.
From there, a sizeable chunk of remaining floor time appears earmarked for guards Adris Deleon and Gary Ervin and forwards Mark McCarroll and Gordon Malone.
Guards Garry Gallimore and Jevohn Shepherd and centre Shagari Alleyne could receive regular minutes in supporting roles off the bench.
“We were really looking to see who would compete,” Levingston said. “It’s rough on guys playing three games on a row, but they competed, and that was great to see.”
The Rainmen are on the road against the Quebec Kebs on Jan. 7 and open at home against the Kebs on Jan. 10.
