Neers’ ready for rematch
BASKETBALL: Revenge is on the minds of the Toowoomba Mountaineers heading into their grudge match against the South West Metro Pirates tonight.
Just a fortnight ago the Pirates lowered the colours of the Mountaineers after import Princeton Onwas tore the home team to shreds with 37 points and 13 rebounds.
By coach Danny Morseu’s own admission, it was one they let slip, but he said they were well equipped to get one back after a dominant display last weekend.
“We feel we let them off the hook (in round two). This weekend we need to hold from in front. I don’t think they can come from behind and beat us,” Morseu said.
“He (Ownas) must’ve stepped up for that game. He shot really well, but hasn’t shot as well since, and he hasn’t been consistent in his performances.
“We need to play good defence on him and see how we go from there.
“They’re really strong inside the paint. If we can take it away from them on the inside it would be fantastic for us.”
However Toowoomba has evolved since the second round and is full of confidence after a 30-point win over Gladstone which saw Damon Bozeman drop 49 points and the team shot at 61 per cent.
A key feature of the Mountaineers efforts from the field was having five scorers in double figures, including Manylok Mayek with 20, and Morseu said this would be a key to taking down the Pirates.
“We wanted to get more guys to get into double figures. If you can get five or six, it’ll really help us win more games,” he said.
“Our starters in particular need to step up and get to that mark.
“Part of our strategy is going inside to the big guys. We needed to get them involved early in the piece because we’re not going to win from outside the paint. I keep saying to the guys that none of the teams can match it with us.
“Last week was a game that can kick start Mayo’s season. We need to get him to run the floor more.
“We changed the strategy to get him involved early and it worked effectively. He’s one of the quickest on our team and runs the floor exceptionally well.”
In a huge boost for the Mountaineers women, new import Donnaizha Fountain will suit up against the ladderleading Pirates.
Fountain arrived in Australia on Thursday before completing a session with her new team that evening.
It will be a tough ask for the Mountaineers with the Pirates winning all five of their games to date.