Slammers face challenge to keep home record intact (Men's SBL Preview)
Unbeaten Lakeside will be looking to inflict more pain on their Men’s State Basketball League rivals when they open round six away to South West Slammers on Friday night.
Andy Stewart’s Lightning have taken all before them this season, dominating at both ends of the court to win their opening seven games.
The Lightning have five players averaging more than 10 points a game and boast the league’s best rebounder in Jarrad Prue, whose 19.4 boards a game puts him more than five clear of the next best player in that category.
It doesn’t augur well for South West, who are yet to beat a team in the top six this season.
But the Slammers will be hopeful of causing an upset after bouncing back to form with a win over reigning champions Cockburn last week.
Cockburn will have to shut down league-leading scorer Cooper Land (29.2 points a game) if they are to beat winless Rockingham on Friday.
Both sides play double-headers this week, with Saturday seeing the Cougars host Willetton and Flames visit Stirling.
Willetton’s week begins on Friday with a tough match-up at home to unbeaten East Perth.
The Eagles sit in second place with a perfect 6-0 record after destroying Kalamunda and Geraldton last week.
Geraldton host Perth on Saturday while Goldfields are bracing for the visit of Perry Lakes, who have won six straight to open the season under new coach Shawn Dennis.
Elsewhere, South West back up from Friday’s Lakeside clash with a game against Wanneroo on Saturday and Mandurah meet a winless Kalamunda side bolstered by the addition of National Basketball League star Luke Nevill.
Article by Shayne Hope
Photo by Helen Theoharakis (Hoop Shots)
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