BASKETBALL - HAWKS
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
An ominous date with title holders Perth should ensure the Wollongong Hawks stay grounded after an encouraging start to their 2014-15 campaign.
Wollongong opened the season with Friday night’s 92-83 home win over Townsville, overturning an 11-point deficit by outscoring the Crocs 33-16 in the fourth quarter.
Backing up on Saturday night against the Kings in Sydney, the Hawks were in the contest from start to finish, building a nine-point lead in the second period.
Import Josh Childress and unsung forward Tom Garlepp sparked the revival, combining for 46 points in Sydney’s 86-83 triumph.
The Kings were up by eight before the visitors trimmed the margin to two in the final seconds.
Wollongong coach Gordie McLeod found plenty to like in his side’s performances.
But he won’t allow the players to feel too good about themselves, not with a fired up Perth Wildcats waiting to sink their claws in on Friday night in Perth.
Perth copped a surprise beating at home from New Zealand on Friday, losing by 10 after trailing by 24 at half-time.
The Hawks face a tough weekend with a home game scheduled against Cairns on Sunday afternoon.
‘‘We should take a lot out of the weekend,’’ McLeod said after the loss to Sydney.
‘‘Obviously tonight’s result is disappointing, but it’s a good, solid weekend and we have to be pleased with that.
‘‘We need to get better to play Perth over there after what happened to them this weekend. Perth’s defensive intensity goes up another level, and with their result this weekend, razor blades will be coming out this week.
‘‘We need to work on our offensive system. We have to have counters and pressure releases, as well as keep growing our menu both offensively and defensively.’’
Missing from both games for Wollongong were frontcourt linchpins Larry Davidson and Dave Gruber.
Davidson is a good chance of returning from a knee injury against the Wildcats, while Gruber is being monitored after being floored by a virus.
‘‘Getting those guys back will be good because we need that to get our chemistry going,’’ McLeod said.
‘‘Grubes has been pretty crook and the next 48 hours will tell us what’s happening there. Larry’s on a [strength and conditioning] loading process.
‘‘We were probably tempted to use him a bit tonight but he’s on his process.’’
The Hawks were hot and cold in both games, but the potential to develop a deep, multi-weaponed team is undeniable.
‘‘We spluttered our way around offensively tonight but we made baskets at the right time to keep ourselves in the game and we fought hard,’’ McLeod said.