Coach wants harder defensive edge
Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers coach Ty Harrelson is calling on his side to improve its defensive intensity ahead of tonight’s return clash against the ladder-topping Rockingham Flames at the Eaton Recreation Centre.
The Slammers (2-4) have not won since their last home game on March 22 and must beat the Flames (8-1) to avoid dropping two games behind in the early race for a spot in the playoffs.
During a four-week stint on the road the Slammers conceded 452 points – worse than 15 points more per game than the State Basketball League average of 95 – including a 116-95 loss to Mandurah at the weekend.
“The Magic shot at over 50 per cent and whenever you let a team hit that many shots you are going to be in trouble, ” Harrelson said.
“We’re scoring enough to win but we’ve got to do a better job defensively – 95 points should be more than enough if you’re capable of getting stops late in the game.”
The Slammers will take comfort from the fact their best defensive performance away from home was against Rockingham in a narrow 93-91 round five loss.
They are also yet to lose at the Eaton Recreation Centre this year, where they boast an impressive 12-3 record under Harrelson.
“Historically the strong teams don’t lose at home and the last two seasons we have a pretty good record in front of our own crowd so it is great to be back, ” Harrelson said.
“We only lost to Rockingham by two and our defence got stronger as the game went on, but tonight is a new game and they’re in first place so it is going to be tough.
“We need to keep them to less than 100 points or get there first – we’re capable of playing better defence and shooting the ball better, we just have to execute.”
Texan brothers Cooper (29 points, 11 rebound per game) and Taylor Land (15 points, eight assists) are the biggest threats to the Slammers.
