NBL1 West: Another lesson learned for Slammers ahead of East Perth road trip

Two things were noticeable during last Saturday’s 120-67 loss by the South West Slammers men’s team against Joondalup at HBF Arena. Aside from four of the Wolf Pack’s five starters shooting at more than 65 per cent efficiency during the first half, Slammers import Buay Tuach did not suit up. “We were not going to risk it with Buay,” Slammers coach Shane Goff said. “Club physiotherapist Jodie Testrow put him through a fitness test on Saturday morning (Tuach developed a sore quad against Rockingham Flame a week earlier) and he did not pull up from it the way that he wanted. “We decided another weekend off was probably the best thing for him. I’d rather have Buay for the remainder of the season than risk him for five minutes in a game.” The Wolves had an incredible night offensively, shooting 31/50 (62 per cent) inside the paint and 12/28 (42 per cent) from beyond the arc. This dominance was punctuated by a phenomenal third-quarter burst, where the Wolves constructed a 20-0 offensive run inside the opening seven minutes of the term. Ahead of Saturday’s road clash against the East Perth Eagles at the Herb Graham Recreation Centre, Goff is hopeful the bitter disappointment from last Saturday’s hiding stings his players into action. “They (Joondalup Wolves) had a purpose to come out and put us away — without giving us an opportunity to come back,” Goff said. “They played their best until the game was well and truly done. “It was brutal but also a real reality check for us. We have stuff to work on and it will be interesting to see how the boys respond to it on the weekend.” Scouting report (Eagles) League position: 12th; last round: lost to Lakeside Lightning 82-81; top performer (v Lightning) — Justin King (35 points — 11/20 field goal attempts, 2/8 three-point attempts, 7/7 free throw attempts, 11 rebounds, eight assists).