BASKETBALL
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The Illawarra Hawks will have to stand tall against one of the NBL's strongest front-court line-ups this weekend in Cairns.
Illawarra face the Taipans in a trial on Friday night before squaring off again in a second trial on Sunday afternoon.
Cairns boast a big, experienced front-court of Cam Tragardh, Alex Loughton, Stephen Weigh, Torrey Craig, Matt Burston and off-season recruit Mark Worthington.
The Hawks are likely to have a clearer understanding of their rebounding capabilities after their battles with the Taipans.
"It's going to be a big test," Illawarra assistant coach Eric Cooks said.
"A team like Cairns will be a real good measuring stick of where we're at. Obviously we want to be able to display some of the things we've been working on, mainly on the defensive end, and basically just keep getting used to playing together.
"We don't have a team list or anything, but both imports should be there. They've added Mark Worthington to what was already one of the best front-lines in the league."
Cairns lost American guard Scottie Wilbekin to the Philadelphia 76ers in the off-season and replaced him with Markel Starks.
Sharpshooter Kirk Penney is the only player missing from the Hawks this weekend.
Penney arrived in Australia on Tuesday and is awaiting clearance. The 2009 NBL MVP is tipped to make his Hawks debut in the September 13 trial against Adelaide at Shoalhaven Basketball Stadium.
Illawarra meet Perth in a trial on September 20 at Moss Vale before flying to Townsville for the NBL Blitz from September 23-27.
Guard Tyson Demos will make his first appearance of the preseason against Cairns after missing the 110-99 overtime win over the University of California a fortnight ago.
"I've been playing up in Queensland and haven't had a chance to have a run with the boys yet, but it's going to be good to match up with an NBL team and see where we're at, rather than just practising against each other," Demos said.
"It's going to be a real solid test, to see what we're good at and what we need to keep working on."
Demos is excited about the potential of the new-look Hawks.
"Everyone gets along, there's no individuals," the 27-year-old said. "It's exciting and I'm really looking forward to it."