Basketball: Slammers get a lift

The Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers men have called on a ‘‘secret weapon’’ in an effort to register their first win of the season.

The half-time entertainment for Saturday night’s clash against the Stirling Senators at the Eaton Recreation Centre should send a shiver up the collective spine of the Senators.

If not, it is hoped they will be too busy laughing at the Hot FM-inspired all-male cheer squad decked out in matching tutus to take to the court in the second half.

However, amore serious Slammers coach Carl Catalano does not expect to need the help—his team is keen to break the drought on its own merits.

Earlier in the season the Slammers were right in the game against the Senators until the dying minutes before losing by nine points.

Nowthe Senators are in the top eight, but only one game clear of the Goldfield Giants—a position that makes Saturday’s game a must-win for them.

‘This stage of the season teams don’t want to be the first to lose to us,’’ Catalano said.

‘‘We’re on the bottom, but everyone’s up for us.’’

The Slammers women have a great chance to win successive games as they match up well against the Senators who have lost their last five matches and sit only one place above the Slammers on the ladder.

Meanwhile, Slammers guard Shannon McRobert was just edged out for last weekend’s SBL women’s Power Player of the Week award by East Perth Eagle forward Sam Norwood.

McRobert, 18, led the Slammers to their second win of the season and was unlucky to miss out on the award with 17 points (including 75 per cent from the three point line) and six rebounds in the 65-63 upset win over the Perth Redbacks.

The women’s game starts at 6pm on Saturday followed by the men at 8pm.