Double header a major challenge

It’s another massive weekend for the Printsync South West Slammers men’s team, who face back-to-back assignments against Lakeside Lightning and Perry Lakes Hawks.

Although there were elements of Saturday night’s 79-71 loss against the Joondalup Wolves which gave him heart, coach John Triscari is still keen minimise certain trends for the remainder of the season.

“Across the 21 game season there have been 10 games that I believe we could have won quite easily,” he said.

“Even on Saturday night against the top side. We led by six points and then couldn’t execute going down the stretch. None of our go-to plays would work.

“So guess what we did on Tuesday night at training?

“We played a different style of defence against the Wolves, by packing in the paint and forcing the recovery to the three point shooter, which is a style which a lot of the clubs are using.”

Triscari is hopeful both Michael Lay and Tyler Livingston have recovered from flu-like symptoms, which affected them during the Wolfpack clash.

“I never worry about the second game until the first one is out of the way,” he said.

“Obviously I do the film cut ups and I decide the strategy that I’m going to use, but we are focussing on the Lightning and how we are going to play against them and what they are going to chuck at us.

Triscari said the process had included “a bit of guesswork at the moment” due to the Lightning’s availability of players.

Scouting reports(Lakeside Lightning and Perry Lakes Hawks)

Form: Both the Lightning and Hawks are destined for the playoffs, with both teams capable of winning the SBL championship, such is the nature of their offensive weapons. Although the Lightning have been consistent, arguably their finest win of the season was two weeks ago on the road against the Geraldton Buccaneers. After conceding a 12-0 offensive run to open the fourth quarter, the visitors fought back with two 10-0 runs in the final seven minutes to stun the vocal crowd at Activewest Stadium. The Hawks should welcome back Clint Steindl for Saturday night’s clash at the Eaton Recreation Centre, following his return from Hawaii.

Lightning - League position: 2nd; home record: 8-2; away record: 8-3; last round: defeated Joondalup Wolves 92-89, defeated East Perth Eagles 117-88

Hawks - League position: 5th; home record: 7-4; away record: 8-3; last round: defeated Cockburn Cougars 100-89