Hunter Pirates

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The Hunter Pirates are a defunct Australian professional men's basketball team that competed in the National Basketball League (NBL). It was based in the city of Newcastle, New South Wales.

Team historyEdit

The franchise began as the Canberra Cannons, one of the foundation members of the NBL. At the end of the 2002–03 season, new owners moved the team to Newcastle and renamed the franchise the Hunter Pirates. The Pirates played at the 4,658-seat Newcastle Entertainment Centre.

In its first season, 2003–04, the team came last, winning only two games. Initial coach Bruce Palmer was fired partway into the season and was replaced by assistant coach David Simmons.

In 2004–05, former Perth Wildcats, Australian Boomers and Australian Institute of Sport coach Dr. Adrian Hurley was appointed as the head coach and led the team to eighth place with a 15–17 record. In the playoffs, the Pirates were eliminated by the Brisbane Bullets in the opening round.

In 2005–06, the Pirates made the playoffs<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> where they were beaten by the Cairns Taipans. Following their third season, the Pirates withdrew from the NBL due to financial difficulties and being unable to find a major sponsor.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In March 2006, the Singapore Slingers took over the Pirates' licence.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Honour RollEdit

NBL Championships: 0
NBL Finals Appearances: 2 (2004/05, 2005/06)
NBL Grand Final appearances: 0
NBL Most Valuable Players: Brian Wethers (2004/05)
All-NBL First Team: Brian Wethers (2004/05)
All-NBL Third Team: Kavossy Franklin (2004/05)
NBL Coach of the Year: Adrian Hurley (2004/05)
NBL Most Improved Player: Geordie Cullen (2003/04)
NBL Scoring Champion: Brian Wethers (2004/05)

Source: www.nbl.com.au<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Season by seasonEdit

Template:Hunter Pirates Season by season <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

ReferencesEdit

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External linksEdit

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