Basketball
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Wollongong coach Gordie McLeod has warned his side about the dangers of challenging the Wildcats to a run-and-gun shoot-out on Friday night in Perth.
The Hawks split their season-opening double header last weekend, beating Townsville by nine at home and losing to the Kings in Sydney by three.
Perth started their season with a loss, going down at home to New Zealand by 10 after trailing by 24 at half-time.
McLeod believes it is imperative for the Hawks to avoid a fast-tempo game against the reigning champions.
‘‘If you get into a track meet with them you’re going to come off second best,’’ he said.
‘‘The thing you know when you play in Perth is that it’s going to be a tough, physical contest, and you’d better be prepared and have your counters in place to deal with that.
‘‘One of the things that’s really important is for us to stay aggressive in our mindset in what we want to do at the offensive end. We don’t want to get caught up in a track meet and just fight their pressure. We want to run when we want to run, and then use the ball when we want to use the ball.’’
Wollongong are likely to welcome back centre Larry Davidson after he missed two months with a knee injury and forward Dave Gruber is back after illness sidelined him last week.
As well, forward Adam Ballinger has been cleared to play after back spasms forced him out of Wednesday’s training session.
The Hawks have 11 contracted players on the roster but only 10 are permitted to suit up for each game.
It remains to be seen who McLeod ‘‘rests’’ against the Cats.
Missing from the Perth line-up will be versatile bench forward Greg Hire (calf injury).
‘‘We have to come up with a game plan of ways to try and disrupt,’’ McLeod said.
‘‘What we’ve tried to do is add a few things to what we’re doing to utilise the pieces we’ve got.
‘‘We’ve tried to get ourselves ready with regards to how we feel Perth are going to defend us.
‘‘If you don’t win the effort areas of the game, any team’s going to be vulnerable.’’
After the game, the Hawks have to turn around and fly back home to prepare for Sunday’s duel with unbeaten Cairns at WIN Entertainment Centre.