Tightening up the screws
Island Storm tuning its play as NBL post-season approaches
Four games… just a quartet of contests remain before the National Basketball League of Canada playoffs start and the Island Storm intend to be ready.
It’s helped the squad has won nine of its last 10 games and closed out its home schedule with a win over the Saint John Riptide on Sunday at Eastlink Centre, but Storm head coach Tim Kendrick stills sees bugs to be worked out.
“Lately, we’ve started a little slow, although I’d rather be a team that starts a little slow and finishes strong than vice versa. Sometimes we’re in a little bit of a hurry to get going. But anyone who knows my teams knows they’re more of a second-half group,” Kendrick said.
That happened versus Saint John as the Storm rode a 34-19 third quarter to a 109-85 win. Saint John won the first quarter 24-19 and the game was tied 48-48 at halftime.
The teams play Tuesday in Saint John in the last meeting of the regular season between the squads. It’s the third of three straight against the Riptide. The squads are 1-1 in the miniseries and the Storm lead the season battles 5-2, including 2-1 at Harbour Station. Game time is 7 p.m.
And though Kendrick knows there’s work to do, he does see the good work the Storm did on Sunday, especially with its top three-point shooter Chris Johnson and top benchman Tyler Scott injured, and with just nine players dressed.
“I liked the way we gritted it out. We got it to where we tied at the half. Then we owned the second half,” said Kendrick.
Newcomer Carl Hall, who came into the Storm fold after a trade with the Niagara River Lions, showed Sunday the inside presence the Storm has lacked much of the season. Down on the blocks the sixfoot-eight, 245-pound Hall is a load (he had 18 points Sunday virtually all from the paint), but more than that Kendrick likes his dressing room presence.
“Carl has fit in great with us, a great addition, a good teammate. If he doesn’t get touches he doesn’t get upset. He understands he’s got to do his job on both ends (of the floor).”
Scott (ankle) is out versus Saint John. Johnson (finger) might return, but Kendrick won’t make that call until Tuesday.
The team is down to 11 players since Jarion Henry was released last week and the transaction period is over. It means this group is it.
“We’re locked in and I’m happy and pleased with that 11,” Kendrick said.
The Storm finish the season on the road with games in Halifax (Thursday), Cape Breton (Friday) and London (Sunday).