CONFIDENCE among the Sun City Plumbing Buccaneers has hit rock bottom after two losses on the road to Stirling Senators and the Skilled Goldfields Giants.

The Buccs were slow to react in the opening quarter of both contests.

Against the Giants, they trailed 30-16 at the first break, falling short 82-79 on Saturday.

On Friday, the Senators commenced with a seven-point buffer before closing out the game 109-97.

With only four wins out of 11 games for the season, the Buccs slid two places to eleventh on the SBL table.

Speaking to the Guardian yesterday, Buccs coach Ray Evans revealed confidence among the Geraldton playing group was at its lowest point of the season.

"It's hard at the moment," he said.

"But I know we've got a good team and the guys realise that.

"We've got to get back to training and try and win a few games at home and hopefully build from there."

The Buccs did attempt to launch smash and grab raids in the fourth quarter of each contest.

Out-scoring the Giants 23-14 in the final term, Michael Lay, (48 points for the weekend), missed a three-point shot in the closing stages.

The Buccs were unable to make further headway against the Senators the night earlier, after getting to within four points. Lee Roberts top-scored with 29 for the hosts, while Lay (32) and Ben Pepper (25) led for the Buccs.

Evans hinted his team may have underestimated their opposition, especially the Senators.

"We fought our way back and got close to stealing the games but in the end we didn't deserve it," Evans said.

"We were just not ready to play."

"We had a lot of turnovers in the first quarter, that doesn't help and the opposition teams shot the ball well.

"Stirling were a better team than we thought they were."

Evans maintained faith a finals shot was still within reach.

In what could be a saving grace for the Buccs' quest, the first of a three-games at Tip Top Stadium begins on Saturday against Perth Redbacks.

The Redbacks, seventh, travel north on the back of a four-game losing streak to play the Buccs, who have lost the last three. A game against 2009 champions and last year's grand finalist Lakeside Lighting follows on May 21 before Mandurah Magic visit the following week.

Article by Thomas Davis (Geraldton Guardian)
Photo by Travis Anderson (Kalgoorlie Miner)