Basketball 2nd national Gembas – Amon Youth Gentson
“We are not going to be full and are not yet at our best. However, we will be ready on Saturday against the ambitious Ghent team,” promises Gembas coach Steven Van de Vyver. — © photo Marc Van Hecke
A lot of people are expected in Knesselare on Saturday when the local Gembas starts the second national competition with a real derby against Amon Jeugd Gentson. Toss-up at 8:30 PM.
How do both teams view this early top match? “It is no gift to have to start against Gentson,” said Steven Van de Vyver. “I have to put the fact that we completed a flawless course in our group of the Cup of Flanders into perspective. Although we won against Gent-Oost Eagles from the first national team, they had only just started their preparation. The fact that we won against Leuven C by a wide margin is also open to interpretation. If that team is in second national position, then I know they will have a very difficult time there this season. The rest of us were struggling with a damp floor in the Flabbaert, which meant we couldn’t play two practice matches. Moreover, we also lost Maxim Boeckaert, who slipped and hurt both his knee and his groin. We are not going to be full and are not yet at our best. However, we will be ready on Saturday against the ambitious Ghent team, who may have the best coach in the series with Bert Wyseur. However, at home we always want to win anyway. There were already a lot of people in the preparation and that will be no different on Saturday against Gentson.”
Gentson also with his own youth
It has already been highlighted that Amon Jeugd Gentson attracted a number of talented players from West Flanders in the off-season. Less so is the fact that our own talent is also emerging. “Of course I hope to be there on Saturday and get minutes,” says the 1m96 tall Obi Waerniers. The only 17-year-old 3 and 4 player excelled last weekend with the NextGen team that defeated Laarne (first nationally). “How ambitious is Gentson A? We want to get promoted and I think this should be possible with this team. There is also coach Bert Wyseur, who I really like. He is very direct, tactically very strong and tough when necessary. Of course, a win at Gembas would be a very nice step for us,” concludes Waerniers, who is following in the footsteps of father Stijn more quickly than expected. And say that 15-year-old brother Tim Waerniers is now already 2m00 and occasionally also joins the A-team.