Just when it seemed life couldn’t get much worse for the Wollongong Hawks, American guards Gary Ervin and Jahii Carson might be forced out of Friday night’s home game against Townsville.
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Ervin came down with the flu on Tuesday night and missed Wednesday’s practice session. Carson also sat out training and is being treated for back spasms.
‘‘We got Gary to the doctor first thing this morning and we’re waiting to hear about him,’’ Wollongong coach Gordie McLeod said.
‘‘Jahii had the back spasms after the game in Townsville. He’ll be re-assessed after physio treatment today and we’ll see what he can do tomorrow.’’
Wollongong have lost a club record 11consecutive games and need a miracle to finish in the top four.
At the very least, Friday night’s clash will give them a shot at redemption after last Sunday’s embarrassing 32-point loss to the Crocodiles in Townsville.
But despite losing by just four against Cairns the previous night, the Hawks were so bad against the Crocs that it’s hard to see them producing a drastic form reversal in five days.
‘‘They had a very good game plan with us obviously playing the night before and travelling,’’ McLeod said.
‘‘They really got up and into us and made it a physical contest and didn’t allow us to get into our half-court offence at any time. We weren’t disciplined enough to deal with that.
‘‘Them scoring 107points means we’re having defensive problems. They all got hot and we weren’t able to slow the tempo. The other thing was we weren’t disciplined enough to control the game at the offensive end of the floor and slow them down that way.’’
The Hawks surpassed the 70-point mark for the first time in four games against Townsville.
But most of their points came in the second half when the Crocs already the game in the bag.
‘‘We have to make some adjustments, but you can’t put some magical things in,’’ McLeod said.
‘‘There’s no magical offences or defences.
‘‘It’s not going to be fixed that way.
‘‘It’s going to be fixed by the contributions we get from all the individuals in our group and the progress we make as a group.’’
Townsville are expected to be at full strength and will be confident of avenging a nine-point loss to the Hawks in round one.