Basketball: Breakers raring to get on court

Ben Pepper

Breakers coach Andrej Lemanis has the problem of keeping his players up with a 10-day gap before their next match following their win against Wollongong.

Earlier this season, they played three games away in Australia in the space of six days.

There are similar away assignments coming, the pay-off that they also have two blocks where there are four consecutive games at home.

On Friday the Breakers will do a corporate team bonding exercise to enhance what Lemanis feels is a new cohesion in the side, the sort that takes time to develop.

"Obviously spirits are good, it's always good to get a break and freshen up, take care of niggling injuries."

They don't have any major injury concerns ahead of their next ANBL game against Adelaide at Trusts Stadium next Wednesday. They'd like that to be fast-forwarded.

"When you are feeling good about life and you're playing well you just want to keep on playing."

They'd had intense training sessions where the players had shown the desperation that got them the win last Sunday over Wollongong, banging each other around and throwing themselves on the floor to get the ball, and he expected they would stay sharp.

After watching the tape of the win, Lemanis said their defence was getting much better and the players were getting more comfortable with each other because their rotation was working well.

"We're starting to believe in ourselves, we're starting to believe in the rotation, we're starting to believe in the style of play - and the guys absolutely want to win.

"That might sound a funny thing to say because all teams want to win but it's a matter of what you're prepared to do to win and a lot of times there comes a point where players throw in the towel because it's too tough. It's throwing yourself on the floor, making the extra effort to get a ball or make a block, things you can just as easily not do."

Singling out Ben Pepper for praise he said, "Ben used to be reluctant to leave the basket because he was worried the opposition would get in but now he does and he's a pretty big body when he gets down the other end - part of it is him having confidence in his team mates to rotate and fill the gap and part of it is him wanting to and having the confidence and desire to do that."

The team was still learning to win.

"They did what it took against the Hawks, they found a way to win. Until you've done that a few times you're still learning."

Marks sparkles

Former Tall Black Sean Marks shot four of five field goal attempts and one free-throw for nine points and made one block as the champion San Antonio Spurs opened their pre-season schedule with a 103-101 loss to the Miami Heat.

Cathcart sinks winners

In Ireland, Kiwi guard Ian Cathcart scored Shamrock Rovers Hoops' final six points in overtime to guide them home over MDS Star 71-67 in the opening round of the Superleague. Cathcart, last sighted in New Zealand with the Nelson Giants in 2004, finished with 14 points. The Canterbury Rams' David Langrell scored 19 points for Star but fouled out in the extra period.

Banvitspor cup loss

In Turkey, the Banvitspor team coached by Tall Black coach Tab Baldwin bowed out of the Turkey Cup competition with just one win from their three qualifying games over the weekend.

Banvitspor defeated newly promoted Mersin 95-87 with Tall Black captain Pero Cameron contributing 13 points. But they then lost 90-88 to Tekelspor. With all four teams sitting on one win, Banvitspor lost their crucial final encounter 80-75 to Ulkerspor. Cameron scored 12 points.