Ballarat Miners will be looking to build upon its three-game South East Australian Basketball League winning streak as it travels to Nunawading on Saturday night.
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The Miners enjoyed a successful weekend last week, registering victories over Dandenong and Albury Wodonga on Saturday and Sunday.
Coach Eric Hayes is hopeful that the form is a reflection of the side jelling together and becoming familiar with each other’s games.
Ballarat welcomed a number of new faces and imports over the off-season and the club always knew there would be a period of time before the group clicked and its recent form suggests it is well on the way to finding its desired basketball on a consistent basis.
“I think they’re just starting to get to know each other better, understand what we’d like them to do. We’re doing it a bit more consistently and we’re getting better results because of it,” Hayes said.
“Any year guys are going to come in and it’s going to take a little bit of time for guys to get used to each other. That’s the process, you just want to try and make it happen as quick as possible.”
Nunawading lost to Mt Gambier by three points on Sunday, but that was its only loss for the season – giving it an 8-1 record.
There is no doubting this match-up will provide a strong indication as to where the Miners stand in the bigger picture.
Hayes said Saturday’s opposition had a number of quality players, but Simon Conn, who is averaging 22.6 points and 9.6 rebounds this season, was one man it would definitely need to contain.
While the Miners would have to take a focus to the well-credentialed Nunawading, Hayes said its main priority would be to execute its own processes and deliver upon its game plan.
“Ultimately we want to focus on the things we’re doing.”
The Miners are hopeful Chris Smith will be right for the clash. He sustained a leg injury last weekend and has been on a limited program during the week.
Meanwhile, Ballarat Rush is enduring a tougher start to the season.
It is yet to win a match from its four outings and while the ladder looks bleak, Rush is still catching up on matches in comparison to the rest of the competition – having played half the amount of matches as ladder leader Bendigo.
The interrupted start to the season has not been ideal, but if Rush wants to play finals this season, it can ill afford to fall further behind the pack.
Nunawading sits fifth on the eastern conference ladder with a 3-4 record.
