Bill Jones and the Windsor Express set the tone on day one of training camp.
"We're the last team to start so we gotta make sure we're ready to throw it up on the 12th."
The Express hired trainer Shane Topalovic during the off-season to whip the team into shape before they make their debut against the Montreal Toundra in the new Basketball Super League January 12th.
Jones feels the emphasis on fitness was necessary after his team failed to win the NBL of Canada championship last season against London. "When you get yourself into a game 5 and you come up short you go back and you look and you hear what your medical team said and what people said is we weren't conditioned. We werent' ready to go back to back." said Jones whose team won Game 4 at home Thursday before getting blown out in London Friday night.
Topalovic gave players a two-week plan prior to the start of camp December 29th and put their work to the test on day one. "It was a tough day. They got through it." said Topalovic who was with the Express for six seasons before leaving in 2018. He was with the team during their 2014 and 2015 championships. "Times when you would think players would stop, we pushed them, they kept going. They understand this is gonna benefit them in the long run. They've totally bought in."
The Express enter their home opener with only two players returning from last year's team (Latin Davis and Ja'Myrin Jackson). Chris Jones is also back in the fold after spending parts of two seasons in London. Coach Jones spent more time on the recruiting trail during the off-season and will introduce ten new faces when they tip off against the Toudra.
"To be able to pick the type of players that I pick will help us the way that we're going to play this year is really important for me so I'm really happy about it."
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