Frontcourt battle a key in must-win fixture
BASKETBALL: The equation is simple for the Mountaineers when they host Logan this evening.
Win and keep their playoff hopes as close to their control as they can.
Lose, and it will almost be time to get the calculators out.
Toowoomba’s season hangs in the balance after dropping their last two games to Brisbane and Rockhampton, and with a 1.5 game gap between them and the Rockets, their remaining four fixtures are virtually must-win.
Harold Ridgeway is currently averaging a double-double in his first season in the QBL, and realised the importance of making a statement against the third-placed Thunder.
“We just have to play hard, that’s all we can do,” Ridgeway said.
“The team last week (Rockhampton) played a zone and limited our amount of touches, and we ended up taking some bad shots.
“Coming up against a team like Logan is a good chance to see we’re were at.
“I feel at this point every game is a must win. We believe we have to win three out of four and two of those are against Logan. We’ve got to get it at home this week.”
The Mountaineers frontcourt face the tough task of matching up against new
Cairns Taipans recruit Mitch
Young.
The power forward is currently averaging 21 points and 12 rebounds, and Ridgeway said he is a crucial man to stop.
“It’s going to be a good test. I feel I’m a lot faster and he’s a lot stronger, but he’s nothing I haven’t seen or played before,” he said.
“I know I’ve got to play hard on both ends of the floor.
“I feel we’ve got the best backcourt in the league, but they have good depth. They go about eight deep.”
The men will take to the court at 8pm at the Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre, following on from the women at 6pm.
They get the chance to pick up their first win of the season against the Thunder, who sit in 12th.
The team will be looking for Morgan Prentice and Jasmine Gardner to back up strong showings last weekend.