Childress the target for Coenraad

WOLLONGONG forward Tim Coenraad believes it will take a team effort for the Hawks to limit the influence of damaging Sydney import Josh Childress this weekend.

Childress continues to tear the NBL apart in his debut season in Australia and averages 21.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.4 blocks per game.

He played a big role in the Kings’ 29-point thumping of the Hawks in round five, returning 18 points, 13 rebounds and four assists.

Childress returns to WIN Entertainment Centre on Saturday night and Coenraad is under no illusions the Hawks are in for a cruisy night.

‘‘I guess we know a bit more about him [Childress] now,’’ Coenraad said.

‘‘He’s started to hit his straps really in the last four weeks.

‘‘He’s done a good job of getting into Sydney’s system and now he knows where he’s getting his shots, he’s aggressive on the rebound and in the open court.

‘‘He’s a tough cover, there’s no doubt.

‘‘When he’s in my spot I’ll do my best to keep him in front of me and make him shoot tough shots.

‘‘But it’s not one guy against one guy, it’s a team game.

‘‘If the team defence is on point and we’re doing a good job with our rotations, making the people shoot that we want to shoot, then I think we’re in with a chance.’’

Wollongong have won just one game since that round five loss and the Hawks sit bottom of the NBL table with a disastrous 2-12 win-loss record.

They need to win almost all of their remaining 14 games to be any chance of playing the finals.

Coenraad doesn’t think the team is too far behind the rest of the competition but admits consistency is a serious issue.

‘‘The problem for us is keeping that consistency and doing that for four quarters now instead of just one or two.

‘‘If we can do that, show some consistency, then we will definitely be able to get some wins.’’