HEAT FACE LITMUS TEST ON THE ROAD
Harbour Heat get their first taste of life on the road in the Bartercard National Basketball League with a double header this Friday and Saturday against the in form Bay Hawks and the struggling Manawatu Jets.
After a best ever 5 consecutive wins to start the season, Head Coach Judd Flavell must get the best out of his side away from home, and they don’t come any tougher than the Hawks who last week toppled the previously unbeaten Waikato Pistons.
Flavell says the Heat are looking forward to hitting the road.
”While I wouldn’t say our good start to the season is solely down to playing every game at home, it has certainly played a part and any team that wants to contend for the championship has to win their share on the road too.
“What a road trip can do though is bring a side closer together. It is under adversity and in front of an away crowd that often players perform at their best and find out a little more about themselves and each other. We are looking forward to that test this weekend.”
The Heat will once again rely on the scoring threat posed by Corey Webster (24 per game), Rick Rickert (20) and Kavossy Franklin (18) but it is the defensive end of the court that will have to function well to keep the Hawks at bay on Friday night.
“They have some real talent and with the arrival of Josh Pace have to be seen as genuine contenders. They can shoot the outside shot as good as any in the league and in Jamil Terrell can boss the boards too. We will need to be at our best on defence if we are to shut them down.”
Indeed the match up between Rick Rickert and Terrell will be one of many worth the price of admission alone with the mercurial Rickert looking to put up numbers to impress watching ANBL scouts as he looks for a contract for the next season.
With the Pistons losing to the Hawks, the Heat are now the only unbeaten team in the Bartercard NBL, a record they will want to defend for as long as they can as they embark on a month of away games before returning to the North Shore Events Centre.
Next home game
Harbour Heat v Waikato Pistons
May 8th
7pm tip off
Events Centre
Comments
Comment Guidelines: The SportsTG Network is made up of players, families and passionate sports followers like you who have a strong opinion about sport. That's great - we want you to have your say and share your thoughts with the world. However, we have a few rules that you must follow to keep it fun for all. Please don't be rude, abusive, swear or vilify others. Apart from some pretty serious sport sanctions, we also can ban you and report you if things get out of hand. So play fair and have fun, and thanks for your contribution.