Must-win game for Sharks on Saturday
A special reunion and a mustwin game are what is on the line on Saturday night for the Southland Sharks basketball team as they line up against the Canterbury Rams.
It’s been well documented that the Sharks have faced some unique challenges this season including unavailability due to Covid, illness and injury, most notably the news last week regarding Head Coach Rob Beveridge’s fortunate escape after falling from his roof whilst home for a family birthday over three weeks ago.
All of that has contributed to a return of just two wins from the team’s first ten Sal’s NBL games.
The optimist would say there is still time, with eight games remaining on the slate.
The realist would suggest that Saturday’s clash with the Rams is a must-win if the Sharks are planning to keep their hopes of a top six finals spot alive.
It also marks the return to ILT Stadium Southland of former coach Judd Flavell, who held the clipboard for the men in orange between 2016 and 2019, which included the team’s last NBL title in 2018.
Flavell knows better than most what it takes to win in Invercargill.
‘‘Southland is always tough at home, and this will be two teams desperate to build momentum.
‘‘Personally, I’m really looking forward to walking back into ILT Stadium and seeing the wonderful people of the Sharks organisation,’’ Flavell said.
The man who was Flavell’s assistant in 2019, Leyton Haddleton has taken the Head Coach duties of the Sharks in Beveridge’s absence and knows exactly what is on the line this week.
‘‘We are under no illusion as to what needs to happen for us to stay in playoff contention.
‘‘In order for us to have any chance we need to change effort and intensity levels and focus on how we play as a team,’’ Haddleton said.
‘‘The last six minutes of our game against the Jets is where we need to be for four quarters.
‘‘A week at training with a near full squad gives us no excuses not to leave it all out on the floor.
‘‘We welcome former Sharks head coach Judd Flavell and his charges into the Shark Tank for what will be a great battle,’’ he said.
Barring any late mishaps, the Sharks will have a full squad to select from this weekend for the first time in the season with Brayden Inger overcoming the illness which kept him out of last weekend’s loss to the Jets while American point guard Daishon Knight who literally stepped off the plane on Sunday to debut for the Sharks will have a full week of training in his legs.
Star player Mojave King also appears over the finger injury which has been hampering him over the last two weeks.
The game tips off at 7.30pm with tickets available throughout Saturday and prior to the game via ILT Stadium Southland reception or online at ticketek.co.nz.
Doors open at 6.30pm with pre-game entertainment commencing after 7pm.