Big Sam eyes title

The Symes Motors Bendigo Braves will have one of the most daunting line-ups in this year’s SEABL season, with the inclusion of big man Sam Harris.Harris, who has been training with the Adelaide 36ers NBL team, will join the Braves this season and will add to the team’s impressive front court line-up.Harris last played in the SEABL with North West Tasmania in 2009 and averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds.More spectacularly, Harris notched up 73 blocked shots for the season, which was equal to the Braves entire season count.Standing at 7’3’’, Harris will step up the Braves inside presence on court, playing alongside key imports Ivan McFarlin and Luke Meyer.Harris, who is originally from Launceston, said he is looking forward to playing and living in Bendigo.“I’ve been here a couple of times before to play, but I love it here. I’m from a country town, so it feels just like home,” he said.“It will be awesome. This team is going to be so much better for me as a player because the heat is not just on me, so it will be a good mix.“The team also has so much experience and has done so well in the past, so it’s just going to be a fun year I think.”Harris is excited about playing with the successful Bendigo team.“I’ve played against them before and I think every time we played them they gave us a pretty good touch up, so it will be good being on the other side of it.”Bendigo Braves coach Ben Harvey said Harris’ inclusion might be what his team needs to take it one step further in 2011.“One of the areas I thought we needed to improve on last year was our inside presence and losing Ricky Daniels made the need even more important,” he said.“What Sam will bring to us is that he’s played at an international level and he has played all over the world and he’s going to be great for us. “It’s going to be a big year and we want to go one step further, which means winning that national championship and with Sam’s presence I think we’ll definitely be able to do that.”