Betts ready to run the show for Heat

Returning star Ethan Betts is excited to run and gun with a new-look Townsville Heat team as they eye a return to the NBL1 North playoffs.

The talented point guard is a key signing for Townsville and is expected to form a formidable combination with American sharpshooter Grant Teichmann and athletic Illawarra Hawks big Kuany Kuany.

Betts has been a key contributor and leader for the Heat over several seasons and the floor general and championship winner is excited to link up with his new teammates while also helping steer some of the team’s younger local talent.

“This year we've gone for a little bit different of an outlook and will be looking to play faster, which will suit someone like Kuany who is on his long and athletic and can really run the floor,” Betts said.

“With Grant he’s just a flat-out shooter, so he can just spot up anywhere, and from the film I’ve seen he's a good facilitator as well. He'll help us tremendously, and he's got experience on the board from playing overseas so I'm sure he'll fit in straight away.

“I think Grant will open up my game a lot more as a drive first point guard and I’m really looking forward to playing with him and playing at a fast pace with him and all of our guys this season.”

Betts, who averaged 16 points, five assists and five rebounds last season, will again take on a leadership role and Heat head coach John O’Farrell said the Townsville-born talent is crucial to the team’s success.

“He’s been with our program a number of years now and will bring some veteran savvy to the team,” O’Farrell said.

“We’re really looking to him to take charge of the huddles, take charge of his team. It’ll be on him to get us organised, get us into our sets and be the glue that holds our team together.

“He’ll get his (points) but we’ll also be looking him to set up Grant, Kuany and all our guys. He’s a downhill player and we’ll run stuff for him to attack the rim and go at the opposition bigs and then from there he can look to score or kick it out to shooters.

“It’s great to have some options and Ethan is going to be a big part of making it all fit together.”

The loss of key veterans Michael Cedar and Matty Rees means more of the leadership duties will fall to Betts, a role he’s more than happy to expand on.

“I’ve had a bit of a leadership role the last few years, which has been good challenge for myself, but losing Marty and Mick there's a bit of a void to fill there,” he said.

“From my time in the team as a younger player I've learned from a lot of great guys like Keegan Tudehope, Peter Crawford, who were great leaders for me when I was coming through.

“Now I’m sort of in that mentor role and it's going to be good to give back and try and help some of the younger guys in our squad.”

The A. Gabrielli Constructions Townsville Flames and Aligned Townsville Heat will tip-off their NBL1 North campaigns on Saturday, May 3, when they host fierce rivals the Cairns Dolphins and Marlins at Carmichael Ford Stadium.