‘Junior’ Snakes need to step up
BASKETBALL: Sidelined Snake Nate Jawai has put his faith in the club’s lesser lights to fill the role of star forward Michael Carrera for the next month, starting tonight against the white-hot Illawarra Hawks.
With Cairns’ two most reliable offensive weapons on the sidelines, Jawai and Carrera, the Far North club will need a contribution from alternative sources to improve from their seventh position on the ladder.
Australian Boomer Mitch McCarron (pictured) and rookie Kuany Kuany will benefit from Carrera’s second lengthy lay-off this season with McCarron influential last Sunday in Brisbane while Kuany has shown flashes of brilliance in his limited opportunities.
The Hawks will be looking to extend their win streak to five after toppling Sydney in overtime on Thursday evening.
“There are other guys there can step up as well,” Jawai said.
“It is time for them to shine and show they can play in this league and be better.
“This is the opportunity now and hopefully a couple of guys can step up to the plate and perform.”
Jawai is progressing through his rehab after he suffered a partial tear of a ligament in his left foot, in the last game between the Hawks and Cairns, ruling him out of any NBL games until the middle of January.
Hawks coach Rob Beveridge says his club are still filthy from their round one loss to the Snakes when they led for much of the evening before coughing it up. “We want to go up there and redeem ourselves,” Beveridge said.