Impatient Slammers undone

The absence of forward Todd Hendley proved too much for the Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers to overcome as they tumbled to a disappointing 106-84 defeat at the hands of the Stirling Senators at the Eaton Recreation Centre on Sunday.

Hendley hurt his hamstring during training last week and although the injury was not initially believed to be serious, medical staff later ruled the import out for at least two weeks.

The Slammers missed Hendley’s imposing presence on both sides of the court as they were out-rebounded and outshot by a Senators side that led at every interval.

The visitors were particularly impressive from beyond the arc, consistently finding time and space to allow seven separate players to combine for 17 of 32 shooting from the three point line.

Slammers coach Ty Harrelson admitted his strategy of concentrating on Stirling’s big men had backfired on the night.

“Cory Cooperwood and Jordan Wild are two of the best inside players in the league and we really tried to key in on them,” he said.

“In doing that some of their role players came in and hit a lot of shots which we were counting on them missing.”

On the offensive side of the court a lack of patience was the Slammers downfall, the South West repeatedly putting up shots in traffic or under pressure rather than searching for an outlet pass.

“The Senators were able to really spread us out defensively and that was something we didn’t do nearly as well,” Harrelson said.

“Our shooting percentage was terrible because we were taking the first open shot we had rather than passing the ball around looking for a better opportunity.

“Personally I think that is the difference between 30 per cent shooting and 50 per cent shooting and Stirling proved that on Sunday.”

With 27 points and 11 rebounds, including seven off the offensive board, Clive Weeden was the pick of the Slammers.

Trent Worthington played well in patches to record 16 points and four rebounds and Harrelson (14 points, five rebounds) was the only other Slammer to hit double digits.

Six Senators scored at least 10 points but the most telling statistic was in the total assists column where the visitors led 23 to 10.

Stirling was led by Austin Bruton (21 points) and Joshua Throns (17 points).

The Slammers remain fifth on the ladder despite the result but now possess the worst percentage of the top eight teams.

Article by Josh Zimmerman: Bunbury Herald
Photo by Mick Cronin




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