Double down on defending
BASKETBALL CAIRNS Marlins must become a stronger defensive unit if they are to topple reigning QBL champions Townsville.
The Marlins lost by 10 points when they travelled to the home of the Heat two weeks ago, but coach Jamie O’Loughlin wants to see a focused effort on defence when the Far North rivals face off at the Fish Tank tonight.
He has no issue with an offence which has produced an average of 86.6 points in their seven games so far, but he says the players are determined to prove themselves as far better defenders than what they dished up at Townsville Stadium.
“Our guys are embarrassed by the performance that night,” O’Loughlin said of the 90-80 loss to Townsville.
“Every single player in our group was poor defensively.
“They’re competitive and pride themselves on our game.
“They have a point to prove to each other that we won’t allow it to happen again.”
Since that loss to Townsville, the Marlins have gone 1-1 SURROUNDED: Tommy Hamilton hits traffic during the Marlins’ win against South West Metro on May 3. with a 12-point loss to the Meteors in Mackay and a 19-point home win against Ipswich Force last week.
The Marlins will take a similar line-up to the one which sent Ipswich packing.
Injured duo Tommy Hamilton and Jaylan Bin Tahal will have until tip-off to prove their fitness.
O’Loughlin has liked what he’s seen in offence from a team determined to go one win further than last season and win their first title since 2016.
“We encourage good shots,” O’Loughlin said. “Offensively – for the most part – we haven’t had a problem. We are taking wide open shots; we aren’t taking bad shots.”
Tonight’s game will start at 8.30pm, after the Dolphins take on the Flames.
The Dolphins have struggled for results so far this season, and sit 14th in the 15-team competition with a 1-7 record.
editorial@cairnspost.com.au facebook.com/TheCairnsPost www.cairnspost.com.au twitter.com/TheCairnsPost
Deng Adel (Cleveland Cavaliers), Aron Baynes (Boston Celtics), Todd Blanchfield (Illawarra Hawks), Andrew Bogut (Sydney Kings, Golden State Warriors), Jonah Bolden (Philadelphia 76ers), Mitch Creek (South East Melbourne Phoenix), Matthew Dellavedova (Cleveland Cavaliers), Cameron Gliddon (Brisbane Bullets), Chris Goulding (Melbourne United), Joe Ingles (Utah Jazz), Nicholas Kay (Perth Wildcats), Jock Landale (Partizan, Serbia), Mitch McCarron (Melbourne United), Patty Mills (San Antonio Spurs), Brock Motum (Anadolu Efes, Turkey) Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers), Nathan Sobey (Brisbane Bullets).