Slammers keen to take on the best

The Printsync South West Slammers face their biggest test tonight, when they host the top-of-the-table Willetton Tigers at the Eaton Recreation Centre.

Standing in the Slammers’ way of victory is Tigers import Ray Turner, who is on track to win this year’s Most Valuable Player award.

Turner is averaging more than 25 points and 12 rebounds a game and was the catalyst for the Tigers’ four-point win over the Slammers back in April.

The 2015 State Basketball League MVP scored 24 points and pulled down nine rebounds in the 77-73 victory, but just a week later put up a season-high numbers with 43 points and 24 rebounds against the Cockburn Cougars.

Slammers coach Charles Nix said Turner was one of the competition’s best players, but was confident co-captain Clive Weeden could limit his impact on offence.

“He is a dominant figure but Clive was a good match-up on him last time,” he said.

“The way Clive has evolved and improved during the season, I am sure he will prove to be a test for Turner.”

Nix said he was excited for tomorrow night’s match, which he believed was full of “exciting match-ups”.

One key match-up will be Slammers import Brian Voelkel taking on Tigers forward Jay Bowie.

Both men have been in dominant form and will be putting pressure on each other offensively and defensively.

Nix said the Tigers would test his team and they would “find out where we are at”.

“For us, it is about seeing if we are as good as we can be just a month out from play-offs,” he said.

The Slammers will have a break on Saturday, before travelling to the Lakeside Recreation Centre to battle the 10th placed Lakeside Lightning on Sunday.

Nix said the Lightning would be “dangerous” despite being much lower on the ladder.

“They are a desperate team and desperate teams are always dangerous,” he said.

“They can beat anyone on their day.”