Mountaineers hunt upset win
BASKETBALL: A solid 40minute performance is all it will take to turn the Toowoomba Mountaineers season around.
It’s much easier said than done, as the men and women prepare for a home double against the Gold Coast Rollers on Friday night.
Men’s coach Darryl Allen said a two-week break has helped his side as they look to cause a boilover.
“I’m hoping our preparation over the last two weeks puts us in good stead,” he said.
“I know the boys really have to step up, especially our starting five and our six and seven players coming off the bench.
“We have to stop the Gold Coast from scoring inside the paint, because they’re reasonably strong in that area.”
The Mountaineers men have shown glimpses of what they can do throughout the course of the season, but a complete game has so far eluded them.
Allen puts that down to a young roster, but has the belief that they can get things back on track.
“With such a young side, when things seem to go wrong, we don’t pack it in but things tend to get to us,” he said.
“It’s something we’ve talked about and hopefully the boys can get into the right mindset.
“We’ve been continuing to work on our sets and getting the boys inside the paint moving. Instead of our forwards being stagnant after the ball, we need them moving.”
Allen is calling on a big effort from Bailey Nwanevu, who shapes as one of the future leaders of the club.
“I’ve had a good chat with Bailey,” he said.
“He’s got such explosive power and speed, that it can impact his finishing at the rim. I’ve asked him to work on that and will continue to help.”
Action gets underway at 6pm at Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre, USQ with the Mountaineers women, followed by the men at 8pm.
When last seen, the Mountaineers women led late, but were pipped at the post by North Gold Coast.