BASKETBALL SCHOOL "TORNADO" Tornado KM - "Stora Enso" Ahead of the New Season: Ready to Take the Next Step
Tornado KM - "Stora Enso" is preparing for a new season in the Lithuanian Youth Basketball League. Last year, the team delivered a solid performance in the U16 championship, finishing the regular season in fifth place and entering the playoffs without home-court advantage.
In the battle for a place among the top four teams, Tornado faced the team that had finished fourth in the regular season. Both playoff games were highly competitive, but the opponents managed to secure narrow victories, bringing Tornado KM - "Stora Enso"’s Final Four hopes to an end.
There were no major changes to the roster over the summer. The core of the team remained together, although a few players ended their basketball journey, while several players from Tornado KM II joined the squad. The team therefore enters the new season with continuity, while also creating opportunities for new players to take another step forward.
– I think we were mainly missing a little bit of luck and perhaps a stronger belief that we were truly capable of reaching the Final Four. Both playoff games were very close, so we were left with the feeling that we could have taken more from that series.
Of course, we also really missed Jonas Valančius at that stage of the season. He is a year younger, but he had already become an important part of our team. During the playoffs, Jonas was dealing with a minor injury, so the decision was made not to put additional strain on him by playing with the older age group and instead save him for the Final Four with his own 2011-born team. That decision paid off – they became Lithuanian champions, although naturally it did not make things any easier for us. This season, we want another opportunity to take the step we were missing last year and reach the top four.
– Step by step, they are settling in and already contributing on the court. Naturally, moving up to a higher level requires some time to adjust – the pace is faster, there is more physical contact, and the demands are higher both in practices and games. We spoke about that from the very beginning: fully becoming part of the team will require patience, hard work and a lot of effort. Most importantly, the players are hardworking, eager to learn and not afraid of competition. I believe they will become more confident as the season progresses and will be able to contribute even more.
This season gives Tornado KM - "Stora Enso" another opportunity to take the step that was just out of reach last year. With the core of the team still together, more experience and new players joining the group, Tornado enters the season with a clear goal – to challenge the strongest teams once again and fight for a place in the Final Four.
Kaunas MPPMC
Smalininkų St. 18, Kaunas
