Keeping calm key to Slammers surge

Composure is key for the men’s Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers as they prepare for a tricky double-header against the Perth Redbacks and Kalamunda Eastern Suns this weekend.

After blowing a commanding lead against the ladder-leading Rockingham Flames for the second time this season coach Ty Harrelson used an eight hour bus trip to Kalgoorlie to speak with his team about maintaining its cool under pressure.

“Last year if a team made a run at us we usually kept our composure and were able to stay in the game, ” Harrelson said.

“After getting a lead against Rockingham they made a couple of baskets and we got a little bit tight and started rushing shots and missing opportunities which hurt us.

“We talked about it and were a lot better in that regard against Goldfields, at one stage they went on a seven or eight point run but we just continued to play strong basketball and that was evident in the result.”

With 10 assists and zero turnovers Paddy Phillips was an integral part of the Slammers 106-92 win over the Giants and Harrelson said he hoped the guard could maintain that impressive level of play.

“Paddy adds a lot of speed to our team, is active on offence and defence and has the capability to score or set other players up, ” Harrelson said.

“The coaching staff and I had an opportunity to talk with him over the weekend about what is expected from him and it was great to see him execute that plan.

“Ten assists with zero turnovers is very rare at any level of basketball and if he can continue to play at that level this team will be in great shape.”

Harrelson said that fellow guards Josh Weir and Wade Hitchock would continue to split minutes with Phillips.

The Slammers host the Perth Redbacks at the Eaton Recreation Centre tomorrow night before backing up against the Eastern Suns in Kalamunda on Saturday.