THERE is still plenty that needs to go right but Stirling Senators coach Mike Ellis cannot help but wonder what a championship would mean as he grows accustomed to life as a head coach again.
The lure of coaching his son Cody in the SBL and seeing in the new Warwick Stadium helped Ellis take the role on the back of the retirement of Dave Lindstrom.
The Senators have missed the playoffs six times in the past eight seasons but currently sit fifth ahead of tonight’s crucial clash with the sixth-placed Rockingham Flames at Warwick Stadium.
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READ NOWThe best basketball from the Senators this season has shown they can match the best in the league, including wins over defending champion Joondalup Wolves and league-leading Cockburn Cougars.
Not taking anything for granted, Ellis is not afraid to dream of what a first ever Men’s SBL championship would mean for the side.
“There hasn’t been one here for a long, long time,” Ellis said.
“A championship would be the ultimate and that’s what everyone is going for, but to bring one to Stirling with this group would be just awesome.
“It would mean the world to the club because the club has gone through a resurgence.”
The opportunity to coach his son was a major factor in Ellis accepting the role and he considered that while yelling at him from the stands; he might as well do it as his coach.
“It’s great coaching him because now instead of yelling from the sideline I can do it as his coach,” he said.
“It is always difficult coaching your son because you either favour the hell out of them, or you are really hard on them.
“I’m the latter and I’m actually really hard on him because I expect so much of him so I get on him.
“But again he is still pretty young and is still learning and it’s a great opportunity to coach your son.
“It’s something that my father had the opportunity to do with me for one season and that was great playing for my dad.
“I’m hoping that Cody is enjoying it as well while I’m not yelling at him too much.”