NBL1 West 2023: Swift response required from South West Slammers men’s team following opening loss

The South West Slammers men’s team will be bolstered by some handy inclusions for their NBL1 West home opener against the Mandurah Magic on Thursday night at the Eaton Recreation Centre.

Clive Weeden, Cory Richardson and Okummu Dech are all available for selection, which will give Shane Goff’s side a big helping hand under the basket at both ends.

The Slammers were thrashed 105-46 by the Geraldton Buccaneers on Saturday night at Activewest Stadium, with a lopsided 22-4 rebound count in favour of the hosts at quarter time punctuating the game’s outcome.

However Goff has not dwelled on the result and is determined for his team to respond positively against the Magic, who also are coming off a heavy road defeat against the Goldfields Giants.

“You always have to give yourself a chance,” Goff said.

“If we play our best, control the boards and look after the ball, we can put ourselves in contention to be there at the end.

“Hopefully things will work out this way. It’s a home game — and after being in Gero and seeing what their supporters bring — if our home crowd is even half as passionate as the Buccs fans were, it is going make it more difficult for teams when they come down here.

“When we start to play good basketball and the exciting brand I know we can play, it should attract our supporters to come along and be a part of it.”

Earlier in the evening, Alex Ciabattoni will oversee her first game as women’s coach for the Slammers, who appear in for a tough night against a Carly Boag-inspired Magic.

The Slammers announced their women’s leadership group on Tuesday, appointing Lauren Vincent as captain, with new arrival Kate Williams her deputy.

Scouting reports

Men: (Magic)

League position: 13th. Last round: lost to Goldfields Giants 112-67; top performer (v Giants)— Ray Turner (12 points — 5/9 field goal attempts, 0/1 three-point attempts, 2/6 free throw attempts, 11 rebounds, zero assists, two steals).

Women: (Magic)

League position: 2nd. Last round: defeated Goldfields Giants 78-57; top performer (v Giants)— Carly Boag (18 points — 5/8 field goal attempts, 2/4 three-point attempts, 2/3 free throw attempts, 15 rebounds, two assists, one steal).