Basketball: Breakers look for consistency

By PETER JESSUP


A second successive win tonight will be more pleasing for coach Frank Arsego than the overtime triumph over the Sydney Kings.

"Consistency is going to be a big thing in the league this year. I think that's what all coaches will be looking for," Arsego said.

He is keen to establish a dominant home record when they play their first game of the season at the North Shore Events Centre against the Wollongong Hawks.

All players are fit, although key scorer Mike Chappell is still troubled by an ankle injury.

Centre Blake Truslove, who was not used against the Kings, is more likely to get a run against the Hawks.

The Breakers, with big Ben Pepper, will again fancy their chances of using height advantage to go over the top of the Hawks.

A key for the visitors will be Darnell Mee's ability to score and assist from turnovers and fast-breaks, and the home side can be expected to make a bird of trying to shut him down.

The other dangers are Mat Campbell and Glen Saville, who with Mee have been instrumental in their success in making recent playoff series.

Adam Ballinger and Troy Pilon, son of former Illawarra league rep Ron, offer impact from the bench.

It's from the bench where the Breakers might surprise, with Shawn Redhage becoming a major strike weapon for them, and Dillon Boucher and Lindsay Tait bringing energy on defence.

Arsego said he hadn't had to do anything to keep the players' feet on the ground following their first win over Sydney.

"They were never too excited by the result. I think that's a sign of maturity in terms of understanding what we need to do through the season - you could beat the top team then get knocked off by the bottom team. We want to close off that emotional rollercoaster."

Teams

NZ Breakers: Pero Cameron (11) and Paul Henare (32) co-captains, Ben Pepper (31), Mike Chappell (20), Aaron Olson (22) Dillon Boucher (24), Shawn Redhage (42), Lindsay Tait (4), Blake Truslove (41), Ben Thompson (12).

Wollongong Hawks: Mat Campbell (32) captain, Darnell Mee (13), Adam Ballinger (54), Andrew Rice (9), Glen Saville (12), Adam Caporn (5), John Phillip (14), Mike Kelly (44), Troy Pilon (24), Cameron Rigby (15).