Basketball: Slammers to bounce back at full strength

Talented Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers’ point guard Senario Hillman has vowed to bounce back from a sub-standard debut when his side take on East Perth this Saturday night.

The 23-year-old American, who before his arrival in the South West was described by a senior Slammers’ director s having ‘‘NBA quality athleticism’’, disappointed in his first SBL outing at the weekend.

In a difficult game for the Slammers against Geraldton, Hillman was fouled off during the third quarter after spending less than 20 minutes on the court.

He contributed just 11 points and watched from the sidelines as the inexperienced South West side went down 108-70.

It was his first match outside the United States.

The play-maker said he had been caught out by a more conservative refereeing style in Australia and revealed his devastation at being fouled off the court.

Hillman conceded he had ‘‘made some bad decisions’’ on Saturday night and defended too aggressively, but pledged to tweak his game ahead of the looming clash against the Eagles in Perth.

‘‘I’m ready for this weekend, I want to showcase my talent and let everybody know what I can do,’’ he said.

‘‘I was disappointed in myself that I fouled out, the team needed me but I wasn’t there for them.

‘‘We play different in America. I just have to learn more about my teammates and play my role.

‘‘I want to help the South West Slammers win games, that’s what I came here for—to showcasemytalent and play to the best ofmyability and do everything I can to help them win.’’

The Slammers were boosted in the lead-up to Saturday’s game by confirmation from immigration officials that second import Carlos White had been cleared to take the court.

White, 31,was resigned to the bench in round one after learning on the morning of the game his paperwork had not been processed.

It was the third consecutive year the Slammers have started the season without an international recruit because of a bureaucratic bungle.

White claimed his previous club in Tunisia had not processed his release correctly.

‘‘It was devastating, I got into shoot around on Saturday morning and walked into the (Slammers’) office and everybody was looking strangely at me and shaking their head,’’ White said.

The Slammers take on East Perth from 8pm this Saturday at the Morley Sport and Recreation Centre.

Slammers women face test

After a round one bye, the South West Slammers women’s side, face a significant test this weekend when they clash with the Eagles, who made last year’s grand final.

After bolstering their squad with recruits in the offseason, the Slammers have been widely tipped to push for a debut play-offs appearance in 2012.

All eyes will be on the debuts of American imports Valerie Ogoke and Rachele Kloke, while former Willetton Tigers’ players Zoe Harper and Kara Hargreaves will also be putting on the Slammers’ singlets for the first time this Saturday night.

Teenage starlet Bianca Donovan, who impressed with a solid season for the South West side last year, will also be expected to take the next step in her promising career, after spending the summer on the West Coast Waves’ roster.

The women’s match tips-off at 6pm this Saturday in Perth.