Arresting slide is a tall order

A crucial clash awaits the Printsync South West Slammers women’s side on Sunday when they take on the Willetton Tigers at the Willetton Basketball Stadium.

The Slammers have lost their last three games after starting the season 2-2 after the first four rounds.

The Tigers have won just three games and are seeking to keep their solid form after a five-point victory over the Kalamunda Eastern Suns on Tuesday.

The Slammers will regain former New Zealand international Kate Fielding for this Sunday’s clash, which should take the pressure off captain Courtney Bayliss and import Brittany Hodges.

Coach Peter Harper said his side would have to work on their transition game against the Tigers, who have three players taller than 190cm.

“We need to put on some scoreboard pressure,” he said.

“Willetton are going to be tough as they are a really tall side.

“We should be quicker, so we need to move the ball quicker and work on our transition game.”

The Slammers got valuable court time into some of their younger players at the weekend, with Demi Liddle, Hannah Kurek, Ella Bassett and Tayah Burrows all getting valuable minutes.

“When you look at our team, we had a young and inexperienced team on the court on Saturday night,” Harper said.

“That is our plan this year, get some time into our younger players.”

Harper said he backed Bayliss to continue to shoot the ball, after making just five of 24 attempts at the weekend.

“My philosophy is if you are open, shoot the ball,” he said.

“A bad shot is better than a turnover.”