The GMHBA Miners are locked in a really tight South East Australian Basketball League east conference clamber for rankings and will arrive in Albury-Wodonga on Saturday night on the same win-loss ratio, 4-3, as their rivals.

Albury-Wodonga is promoting a likely high-octane affair, with Bandits’ coach Brad Chalmers speaking out about the need to make life around the perimeter uncomfortable for the Miners.

He only needs to look at Miner Roy Bookers’ record for concern.

The Miners’ co-captain has chalked up 34 triples from seven games this season – double the amount of his nearest rival – and leads the league in total match points (180) and average points (25.7).

Booker was named SEABL player of the week after his 35-point game, featuring nine three-pointers, to set up the Miners’ win against Canberra last weekend. Everard Bartlett (52 assists) and Booker (43) top the league in total assists.

But the Bandits have made clear they are also wary of the scoring power of Kodi Augustus and Anthony Fisher.

The Bandits have built a strong scoring outfit around stars Cory Dixon, Deba George and Daniel Sepokas.

They look likely to recall star import Donte Nicholas for limited minutes. Nicholas was averaging 19.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.2 steals before he was sidelined for the past two games with an Achilles injury.

The Bandits comfortably beat an undermanned Miners’ outfit in the pre-season but Miners coach Eric Hayes said the match was enough to see the Bandits had good quality talent in the mix.

“It’s a very important game for us to go out there fighting for the win,” Hayes said.

The Miners will be at the MARS Minerdome next Saturday night to host conference rival Dandenong.

melanie.whelan@fairfaxmedia.com.au