The GMHBA Miners took a refreshed, positive approach into the game and claimed a seven-point win against Canberra on Saturday night. This helps keeps alive the Miners’ play-off hopes in the South East Australian basketball League.

Miners coach Eric Hayes said there was some tidying-up to do but more importantly, players were back on the same page with what they are doing and where they want to go.

“That game was 100 per cent better than what we have done the last few weeks,” Hayes said. “There were some beautiful passages of play that occurred. It was a great environment we had around the group. All the guys did some good things.”

American Gregg Thondique, steady since his arrival, made a break-out game in his aggressive offence work. Thondique equalled his SEABL best score of 24 points with nine rebounds.

Roy Booker is known for his flashy play and big shooting – he made nine from 14 shots beyond the arc against Canberra earlier this season – but the basics that made him a dangerous contributor on the Gunners’ floor. A shoulder injury hampered his shooting from the perimetre, so Booker attacked the basket with easy lay-ups and jump-shots to get by his opponent.

The Miners’ offensive work dropped off a little in the final quarter, but their defence was consistently intense throughout. They had an 18-point lead late in the third quarter and, while the Gunners’ fired back, the Miners kept doing enough to maintain a buffer.

Former Miner Dan Joyce top-scored for the Gunners with 19 points (5 three-pointers).

Each game counts in four rounds to finals. The Miners have a double-header next week, hosting in-form east conference rival Albury-Wodonga, then travel to Frankston on Sunday.

Hayes said it was important his players keep building on what had been a great couple weeks of training.