Toowoomba Mountaineers out of Big Q round
The Harristown Runnin’ Rebels will look to bounce back this weekend after a thumping from the improving Warwick Wildcats last round.
And what better way to stamp their intentions in the Heathley Big Q Basketball League than a win over the leading USQ Dragons.
The Runnin’ Rebels will host the Dragons in all grades this weekend at Harristown High School.
Runnin’ Rebels have recruited NBA and NBL veteran Andre Moore after losing Mountaineers player Manylok Malek to a foot injury.
Malek will be out for the rest of the Big Q season in order to recover in time for the Queensland Basketball League.
“It’s really disappointing he’s not able to play,” Rebels player/coach Pop Dickerson said.
“Because we lost Mayo (Malek) we had to get another big man.”
Moore fits the ‘big man’ criteria standing at more than 2m and scored 14 points against Warwick last weekend.
Learning of the Rebels new signing, USQ player/coach Jack Gallagher said it won’t affect the Dragons’ game plan.
“You can’t go in being
scared of an opponent,” he said.
USQ Dragons have plenty of incentive to continue their winning streak with just a one-win advantage over the surging Wildcats.
The Dragons hope to stay in first place this weekend in order to secure a home court advantage for the Saturday, December 9 play-offs.
Gallagher said whether the Dragons play at home or away they would be ready for any game.
“It’s important (to play at home) but at the end of the day you have to play everyone eventually,” he said.
Leading player Paul Aleer is out this weekend which gives other players an opportunity to step up.
The last time Dragons played Warwick they won by 10 points and defeated the Rebels by 30 in their last match up.
Coming off a bye Gallagher said the Dragons were confident they would be able to bring home the victory this weekend.