Basketball: Question mark sits over Jackson's ankle

Breakers Cedric Jackson. Photo / APN

Star Breakers point guard Cedric Jackson will be given every chance of proving his fitness as the Breakers aim for a sweep of their three-game home stand, against Wollongong on the North Shore tonight.

Jackson rolled his ankle on Tuesday and didn't practise yesterday, but the American insisted he would suit up tonight as the Breakers aim to add the Hawks' scalp to that of the 36ers and Kings.

"It's just a little pinch, it shouldn't stop me playing," he said. "I should be fine for the game, it is really just about resting it and making sure I give myself every chance to play."

Coach Andrej Lemanis was less optimistic. "We'll make a game-day decision," Lemanis said. "There's a chance he'll play."

If he doesn't, CJ Bruton becomes the primary point guard, with Australian Daryl Corletto and development player Josh Bloxham likely back-up.

The club's other American, forward Gary Wilkinson, is meanwhile in good shape. Named player of the week for his sparkling 29-point display against Adelaide last Thursday, Wilkinson has returned in fine trim after dedicating his off-season to conditioning. The big red-head shed 5kg and added muscle in the process, producing a notable improvement in mobility.

"I didn't know what to expect coming into the Australian league. [Previously] I had to be a bit more beefy to bang with the bigger guys, but this is a bit more of an up-tempo league. I understood more where my body should be this year. I worked on it all summer and I am in a lot better shape this year."

Wilkinson leads the league in scoring with 117 points and is second in points per game with 19.5, trailing only Kevin Lisch (21).

With Jackson leading in assists and steals, the Breakers are certainly getting good value out of their imports. Concerns over how the club would cope in the wake of Kirk Penney's departure have been largely alleviated.

Wilkinson has stepped up as one of the team's main outside threats, however the task of replacing Penney's torrid scoring has been spread among the likes of Tom Abercrombie, Jackson and new recruit Corletto. The result is a Breakers side that remains an offensive powerhouse but is better balanced and a tougher prospect on defence.

"If I'm open I shoot it, the same goes for everybody else on this team," Wilkinson said. "We are all getting more shots because we have to fill the void, and guys have been making them."

The same can't be said of a Hawks side minus last year's MVP point guard Gary Ervin. The Hawks have started the season just 2-5 and were comfortably accounted for by Perth and Melbourne in their last two games.

Ervin's replacement, Showron 'Showtime' Glover joined the club just under two weeks ago after the Hawks parted company with Donavan Monroe four games into the season.

"They are obviously still finding their identity, but that is for them to worry about," Lemanis said. "We just need to focus on what we do."

At 6-1 the Breakers head a three team breakaway at the top. With Perth and Melbourne also having dropped just one game, the signs are there will be no repeat of last year's runaway minor premiership. But the Breakers have done enough to suggest they will again be in the hunt for top spot.

"We are playing to win, not to stay up the ladder. We just play to win and want to win every game," Wilkinson said.

Breakers V Hawks
North Shore Events Centre, 7.30pm