Titans begin hectic stretch

Coach Langis says team is lacking grit as it faces five games in nine days

KITCHENER — The KitchenerWaterloo Titans are going from one extreme to another.

The Titans, who have played just eight games since their National Basketball League of Canada season started Nov. 18, begin a hectic stretch Friday night that will see them play five games in nine days. The Titans will be on the road for four of those games, including a trip to Newfoundland for games next Friday and Saturday against the St. John’s Edge.

First up is a road game against the red-hot London Lightning, followed by a home game Saturday night (7 p.m., The Aud) against the Niagara River Lions and a return visit to London on Wednesday night.

The Titans (2-6) suffered a 99-84 defeat to the Windsor Express in their last outing, a game in which K-W jumped out to a 32-22 lead after the first quarter but struggled offensively the rest of the way.

“We’re still trying to find our rhythm; we’re still trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together,” said Serge Langis, Titans head coach and general manager of basketball operations. “The last few games we’ve been lacking edge. When it’s time to win games, teams find that gear and we’re not finding that gear and I attribute that to grit, more than talent, more than anything else.”

Langis, who traded Rick Bodiford to the Cape Breton Highlanders earlier this week for future considerations, will announce a pair of signings in the next day or two that will add both scoring and grit to the lineup.

One of the signings, said Langis, is a player that suited up for the Titans in last year’s inaugural season.

The Titans are currently in last place in the five-team Central Division but have games in hand on every team they’re chasing. London (8-5) is riding a six-game win streak into Friday night’s game, Niagara (7-8) has lost four straight and St. John’s (8-4) lost its last outing. Windsor (5-6) rounds out the division.

Point guard Ahmad Starks, who joined the Titans just prior to Christmas, has led the team in scoring the past two games and will be counted on to do more of the same against London.

Kevin Rogers is day-to-day as he recovers from a lower body injury, said Langis, and the two new arrivals aren’t expected to be available until next week.

That will mean just nine players will be dressed for the next two outings.

“Nobody’s depressed, nobody’s hitting the panic button, we’re all still going to work to make ourselves better,” said Langis. “I’m confident we’ll get this thing right, sooner than later.”

The Titans’ upcoming schedule will see them play 13 times between now and Feb. 4, including an 11 a.m. game on Tuesday, Jan. 16, against St. John’s.