Redemption on Rams’ minds ahead of Taranaki match

Co-captain Marques Whippy and the Canterbury Rams are vowing to redeem themselves after their pride took a battering last time out.

The Rams turned in a meek final quarter showing on their home court against Hawke’s Bay, losing 84-75.

It was a poor showing considering they had beaten the same opponent by 21 points just nine days earlier.

Canterbury, who have a 6-6 record and sit fifth in the National Basketball League, have a chance to atone for that display when they host winless Taranaki [0-10] at Cowles Stadium on Sunday night.

Whippy said the Rams were embarrassed with how Hawke’s Bay outpassioned them. They needed to play with much more fire this time around.

‘‘We were so gutted. The locker room wasn’t a pretty sight after the game. The effort wasn’t there and they made their shots at the end.’’

Fijian international Whippy was one of the few Rams players to impress against Hawke’s Bay.

He had a busy all-round game, scoring 17 points, to go along with nine rebounds, five steals and four assists.

The Rams had put the loss behind them and trained well this week and Whippy expected a big turnaround against Taranaki.

‘‘[Coach] Mark [Dickel] has done a great job pushing us, but he can only do so much. It’s us, who are playing. We hope the boys come ready to play.’’

Canterbury will be without Middleton Grange schoolboy standout Sam Timmins, who is away representing the New Zealand under-18 3x3 team at the world championships in Hungary.

Timmins will also miss next weekend’s away game with Super City, but should be back for the Nelson home game on June 14.

Tipoff is at 7pm.