Keep it off the court: Gliddon

Snakes skipper knows cool heads must prevail in wake of fiery clash

SKIPPER Cameron Gliddon believes the entire Taipans squad, not just fiery import Michael Carrera, need to learn to control their emotions better after a passionate preseason game against Perth on Thursday night.

The two finalists from last NBL season will meet again tonight at the Fish Tank in the second game of the series after the Wildcats prevailed by 10 points, 80-90, in the opening contest.

The Taipans started well, leading by double digits in the first-half, before the defending champions press defence forced a number of turnovers and got the hosts out of their early rhythm.

But the main takeaway from the game was the eyecatching and aggressive play of new import Carrera.

The 24-year-old got the hosts off to a positive start with a flurry of buckets in the opening few minutes but on four different occasions the Venezuelan was in heated moments with the Wildcats and referees.

Carrera and Wildcats skipper Damian Martin got into a tussle as they chased a loose ball at half court before Greg Hire also vented his frustration towards Carrera minutes later.

In the third term, Carrera then floored Wildcats point guard Bryce Cotton going to the hoop and was given an unsportsmanlike foul for the hit.

The second-year pro was also given a technical foul in the final minute of the game for giving a referee a mouthful.

“We have got to have fight but we have to play steady as well,” Gliddon said after the loss.

“The emotion kind of got out of control there for a little bit and then when we settled down we started to play some good basketball.

“That is something we will need to talk about as a team. I do not think it is just Michael, we all need to keep a level head.

“You just need to watch how the Wildcats went about it, we went up 12 in the first half and they were cool with it, they are a very professional club.

“I know I need to learn to control my emotions as much as the next guy.”

Nate Jawai pulled on orange for the first time this preseason and the big man showed his shooting range early with a nice pull up jumper.

Jawai looked excellent in the limited minutes he did play as he returns from his off-season shoulder surgery.

Wildcat Bryce Cotton was the catalyst for Perth, shooting proficiently from the outside as well as attacking the rim.

Statistics from the game were unavailable.

“We brought it back well which was great fight from the team but we can be a lot better,” Gliddon said. “It is great we have another game (today).”