Slammers get down to business after edging out Giants

With a full complement of players at his disposal during last Sunday’s breakthrough 79-74 win over the Goldfields Giants at the Eaton Recreation Centre, Printsync South West Slammers men’s coach John Triscari was able to show just how awesome his team can play.

He was proud, relieved and everything in between after the game, although he was quick to realign his gaze towards this Sunday’s clash against the Warwick Senators on the road.

“We proved against Perry Lakes that we can match it with a team that I believe is going to win the SBL this year,” Triscari said.

“So there is no reason why we can’t match it with Warwick; it’s just a mindset.”

Triscari’s skipper Michael Lay again raised the bar for his teammates to follow against the Giants, with the 35-year-old showing no signs of slowing down.

Lay generated six steals and brought his teammates into the game, such was the infectious nature of his hustle and willingness to win possession.

But along with Lay and Cory Richardson, there was another man who Triscari was keen to acknowledge.

“I thought Tyler Livingston was outstanding,” he said.

“His shot was off, so he went inside and worked well with Terrell Carter. Between the two of them, they’re tough.

“Mitch Keller was another one who played well.”

These traits were evident a night earlier against the Cockburn Cougars, which ended in a disappointing 91-77 loss, after coming close to recording an upset.

Scouting report(Warwick Senators)

Form: Mike Ellis’s side possesses one of the strongest home records in the SBL, with Senators having dropped only one game at the Warwick Basketball Stadium this season. Despite this, the Senators have dropped their stranglehold on securing a top-four berth, having dropped their past three games against top-eight opposition. The Senators have scored 80 or more points in all victories so far in 2019.

League position: 5th; home record: 8-1; away record: 5-5; last round: lost to Perry Lakes Hawks 100-76, lost to Lakeside Lightning 76-73

Top performer (vs Lightning): Justin King — 17 points (7/9 from the field, 1/3 from beyond the arc, 0/0 from free-throw line), 10 rebounds, five assists, one steal.