Above: Dandenong Rangers’ star import Lester Strong will be returning to play for Dandenong in next year’s Big V championship.By Glen Atwell
THE Dandenong Rangers’ star import Lester Strong has announced he will be returning to play basketball for the Rangers in the Big V competition next year.
Rangers coach Warren Dawson said Lester had been an amazing addition to the team.
“He is a world-class athlete, there is no doubt about it,” he said.
The Rangers finished their first Big V season with a winless grand final series loss to Sandringham.
Outclassed on Saturday night, the Rangers were beaten 118-85, Sandringham taking the Big V title.
But Dawson said he was pleased with the result.
“I had no expectations coming into the season, half our players had played no basketball last year, so we knew it would take time for them to gel as a team,” he said.
Strong was the shining light for the Rangers on Saturday night with game highs of 32 points and 26 rebounds.
Strong left Metro State University in Colorado in the US to play with the Rangers this year and has had an outstanding season.
Strong has been nominated the Big V Championship player of the week three times.
Averaging 22 points and 16 rebounds per game, Strong’s season best came against Shepparton, scoring 51 points.
Dawson said Strong is adapting to his role within the team.
“We needed a player who could score with his back to the basket and Strong is the player.
“He is the leading rebounder in the league this season, that says a lot,” Dawson said.
Strong’s inspiring performance in the grand final series earned him the grand final most-valuable-player award.
And Dawson thinks Strong can take his game to another level.
“If the desire is there, Strong has the talent and athleticism to play in the National Basketball League,” he said.
That’s a big wrap from the coach, who has played in the NBL himself.
Strong made 24 of 43 field shots and 15 of 19 free throws in the grand final series.
He has been tipped as a serious contender for the league MVP award and to be included in the Victorian league’s all-star five, which will be announced in October.
