Classic foes to renew hostilities

A rivalry will be renewed when the Printsync South West Slammers men’s side takes on the undefeated Joondalup Wolves this Sunday at HBF Arena.

The Slammers and Wolves have had a number of terrific games since the latter won the 2015 grand final.

Joondalup and the Slammers sit at opposite ends of the ladder after three weeks of competition, with the Wolves on top of the table thanks to three-straight victories, including a win over last year’s champions the Perth Redbacks at the weekend.

The Wolves have been the most consistent side over the past three seasons, playing in the grand final each year, but they are looking to go one better and avenge losses in 2016 and 2017.

Slammers coach Carl Catalano said it was always a good game against the Wolves.

“For us it is just another week for us to be better than we were,” he said.

“We have been building and getting better every week.

“Consistency is the thing we will be concentrating on.”

Catalano said his team would train differently this week because of the eight-day break.

“For us this week, having a big break, we are going to go hard,” he said. “We will have a big session on Thursday night and the guys will have their own individual work outs they have to get done.”

Wolves import Jalen Billups has started the season well, averaging 26 points in his first three games, but Catalano believes Joondalup’s strength is their spread.

“You cannot just stop him, they are scoring 95 points a game and he is scoring 20 odd,” he said.

“They have a deep bench, so it is going to take a collective effort to contain them.

“We have been reasonable defensively, apart from when Kalamunda got away from us.

“We do not want to be giving away a bulk amount of points.”

Wolves coach Ben Ettridge said his side needed to be switched on when they played their second game in two days on Sunday.

“I know Carl has taken over, but they are still going to run up and down the floor and have their good shooters,” he said.

“Michael Lay is a good shooter and Clive (Weeden) is always going to give a contest in the key.”

The Slammers and Wolves tip-off at 4pm.