FEARNE PROUD OF TAIPANS
DESPITE Cairns’ early exit from the 2017-18 NBL season, Snakes coach Aaron Fearne could not be prouder of the playing group’s effort and determination.
Speaking after the 89-61 loss to the Wildcats on Sunday night at Perth Arena, the outof-contract coach said the team’s culture was strong throughout the season, in which the Snakes finished sixth on the ladder with an 11-17 record.
“You go through a season and the No.1 priority that you want to make sure is strong is your culture,” Fearne said.
“I am extremely proud of the guys this year, holding each other accountable and coming to work every day and getting after it.
“That is the important stuff for me as a coach – is your culture strong?
“I guarantee every guy will walk out of our locker room today and enjoy the guys they have played with this season.
“This group did that all the way to the end.”
A Scoochie Smith jump shot gave the visitors a onepoint lead early in the second quarter before the Wildcats took over on Sunday night.
Fearne said star big man Nate Jawai’s injury and the messy exit of import Michael Carrera were obstacles the club had to face but he was pleased with how they were handled.
“We had some unfortunate stuff, with the injuries to Nate Jawai and Mike Carrera and then the change with Carrera,” Fearne said.
“That stuff is never easy to deal with. We could easily go the wrong way when that type of thing is happening and you are not winning games.
“The guys just kept battling on and played some pretty good ball at the end of the year.”
Fearne said he thought Perth were much sharper than a week earlier when the Taipans beat them by two points.
“They were sharp but you should be at this time of the year,” he said. “I thought they played some better basketball on Friday against Melbourne.
“We lost our way too many times.”