Gordie McLeod
BASKETBALL
Wollongong coach Gordie McLeod is wary of player burnout at this week's NBL preseason tournament at Dandenong.
All eight of the league's teams will play three games over three days and coaches are likely to give key players ample rest.
The Hawks tip off their tournament with this evening's game against Adelaide and are scheduled to meet Townsville tomorrow night.
Teams will be ranked one to eight according to results and paired for Saturday's play-offs.
"We're considering which way we go in terms of how we play people. We haven't totally decided yet but we'll certainly look at that," McLeod said.
"The NBL preseason tournament is a great time to showcase the league and get everyone together, but three games in three days is a concern for teams.
"It's a very hectic three days down there with all the meetings and promotional things. It's important and it has to be done, but managing our player welfare is the most important thing."
The Hawks have compiled an impressive preseason record, winning seven of eight games.
Last week they toured New Zealand and beat the Breakers in two of three meetings.
"We had a real solid week away in New Zealand," McLeod said.
"Initially there was some doubt the NBL preseason tournament would go ahead so we'd organised some games in case it didn't.
"Our real concern has been the struggle we had to get our imports [Lance Hurdle and Adris Deleon] in. We obviously would've liked them in earlier, but ... that didn't happen.
"Obviously it was great getting Lance away to New Zealand.
"Adris just arrived last week and we weren't able to get over to New Zealand."
Hawks swingman Tim Coenraad will play in Dandenong but is still recovering from plantar fasciitis
Guard Tyson Demos is getting over minor knee surgery and is likely to resume playing in a few weeks.
Top awards to Sparks and Jackson
Lauren Sparks and Dan Jackson captured the main awards at the Illawarra Basketball Association presentation dinner at Collegians.
Sparks was named Most Valuable Player of the Illawarra Kittyhawks and Jackson claimed the Illawarra Hawks MVP trophy.
The Kittyhawks narrowly missed the play-offs in their return to the Waratah Basketball League and should continue to rise in 2013.
The Hawks started slowly before responding with a long winning streak and securing fourth spot.
But their bid for back-to-back titles ended in the opening round of the finals with a home loss to Sydney.
Luke Rich won the Hawks Most Improved Player award and Troy Pilon was voted Player’s Player.
Cassie Mangos captured the Player’s Player trophy for the Kittyhawks.