Rebels prepare for back-to-back blockbusters
BASKETBALL: After a fortnight off, the Heathley Big Q League returns with a number of mouth-watering encounters this weekend.
Harristown finds themselves involved in a pair of those that could see them close out the round atop the ladder or back in third.
Their big weekend starts down in Warwick when they face the undefeated Wildcats tonight, the team that handed the Runnin’ Rebels their only loss of the season in round three.
“We’ve got to play Warwick to the end,” coach Pop Dickerson said.
“James Legan loves close games and loves to win them at the buzzer.
“You can never think you’re guaranteed to win the game when he’s playing. He can make three or four threes down the stretch and it’s all over. That’s what happened to us.
“We need to keep somebody on him. He killed us in the fourth quarter.”
Following on from tomorrow, Harristown backs up tomorrow against USQ, the club they currently share second position with.
Despite the departure of QBL forward Paul Aleer, Dickerson was still be wary of the threats posed by the Dragons, including guard Joe McConnell, who has dropped 21 triples in his last two games.
“They’ve picked up Mitch Davis who playing SBL with the Mountaineers. He has really long arms and they’re going to be very formidable,” he said.
“We’re going to need to keep a hand in Joe’s face, we cannot let him get free. He’s a real danger guy.”
The Runnin’ Rebels have been faced with personnel issues of their own, including the loss of the league’s leading scorer Tito Kwajakwan, while Mountaineers’ QBL MVP Josh Derksen returning from injury.
“Tito has gone to the Northern Territory for the rest of the season and they’re big shoes to fill,” Dickerson said.
“Josh Derksen does a good job and Charles (Dickerson) is getting better with every game. It’s not like we don’t have the firepower. We do.
“The scoring is just going to have to come from a different place and our bigs will have to step up and score a few more points.
“Josh hurt his hand against Warwick but the Xray came back negative. There’s been a lay-off so I’m thinking he’s right to go.”
This weekend will also mark the anticipated league debut of former Perth Wildcat Mathiang Muo for the Mt Crosby Mustangs.
He will take to the floor at Harristown State High School tonight against USQ before his first home game against the Saints tomorrow afternoon.