Now set for another big year, the Magic were in crisis talks only weeks ago as the club looked doomed.

But like the Hawks’, the community has rallied behind its basketball team and the chargers are ready to get the ball rolling with a win on Saturday.

From shaky beginnings, the Hawks went all the way to the National Basketball League grand final. And the Magic hope they can make it all the way to their playoffs.

Despite all the uncertainty, the Magic’s squad of players have worked hard since training resumed in January.

Two-season player “Stormin’” Norman Taylor returns to the Magic for season number three in 2010 and this time he has added responsibility of being captain-coach.

Moss Vale have re-built their state league program around Taylor over the past three years and managed to become a competitive unit for the past two seasons.

Taylor has been training strongly in the pre-season and appears to have shaken off a niggling foot injury which restricted his impact last year.

He is again looking forward to working with the young team and hopefully making a return to the playoffs later this year.

The Magic have lost some players from the 2009 team.

Former vice-captain Clint Bentley is unable to play this year due to work commitments while Dayne Hutchison is focussing on playing soccer.

Ben Hayman, Daniel Hurst and Adam Garello are also missing from the 2009 team, but their loss has been covered with the signing of two young guns.

The Magic decided to go with a younger squad this year and have obtained the services of outstanding former under-18 Magic players Tom Meyers and Blake Channells.