BASKETBALL
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WIN Entertainment Centre management says extensive remedial work has been carried out to prevent another scoreboard malfunction during tonight's Wollongong Hawks match.
Setbacks have been common during Hawks home games this season, with three out of six Wollongong fixtures being disrupted by technical difficulties.
As late as yesterday, technicians were busy testing the beleaguered infrastructure at the centre, giving boss Stuart Barnes "absolute confidence" that everything will run smoothly during tonight's mouth-watering clash with the New Zealand Breakers.
"We've done some more remedial work which had to be done that was associated with the scoreboard, but it's all up and running properly," Barnes said.
"We've been putting together some protocols to make sure it all works fine, and I'm very confident. They tell me that with all the other stuff they've done, all will be good."
In addition to the remedial work, Barnes said the centre had employed a contingency plan if the worst were to happen.
On Monday night, almost 5000 fans endured a 15-minute delay shortly before the second half commenced in the Hawks' 80-72 loss to the Melbourne Tigers.
The episode meant part of the game's running score and shot clock had to be relayed by an announcer.
"We've put other contingency plans in place, which is what you do when these things happen," Barnes said.
The dramas stem back to a second-hand scoreboard which was acquired by the WEC from the now-defunct Gold Coast Blaze's former home, the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, in October.
It is understood the system is hired out to the WEC on a yearly basis.
Barnes was hopeful that a big crowd would attend tonight's match. The Breakers have an impressive 11-3 record this season.