THE Mount Gambier Lakers will be eager to put themselves back on track as they hit the road for a Round 9 double-header in the Country Basketball League South West men’s season.
The Lakers face a tough game tomorrow night against the Horsham Hornets, followed by a Sunday clash with the Ararat Redbacks.
Last week’s draw to the Colac Kookas – due to a roof leak which left the main court at the Icehouse unplayable – saw the Lakers drop from second to third on the ladder, overtaken by Bellarine Storm.
That was after the side suffered its first loss of the season the week before, in the form of a four-point thriller against Horsham, which dropped it to second and gave the Hornets the lead.
Now the Lakers have a chance at redemption as they gear up for the double-header on the road, with the feature of the round undoubtedly tomorrow night’s rematch with the Hornets at Horsham Basketball Stadium.
Last time the sides met was at the Icehouse, with the hosts leading all game until a surge from Horsham in the final minutes of play.
In the end it was two fouls which handed the Hornets the win and the Lakers will not want to put themselves in the same position tomorrow.
They will be out for a clean game from start to finish, but that may be a challenge based on the intensity of the previous meeting.
The Hornets provided constant pressure in the Round 7 clash, with 12 points the largest margin of the game.
Another close contest can be expected and the Lakers look to their regular performers for solid games once again.
Lachie Hunter has been in good form of late and scored a team-high 18 points in the last match with the Hornets.
With an average of 19.75 per game, he will look to fire again alongside the likes of coach Kane de Wit and Braiden Ousey.
Ousey has been another focal point this season, averaging 17.33 points from the six games he has played.
He scored 17 points against the Hornets and had plenty of impact under the hoop, something he will hope to do again this round.
Of course, de Wit’s statistics can not go unmentioned, with the coach of the side leading the way with an average of 20.57 points per game.
His explosive power around the court will be needed tomorrow and he is more than capable of winning the game for his team.
Sam Stafford was absent from the last match with Horsham and will be another player who can pack a punch on the scoreboard should he take to the court.
Add to the mix the likes of Matt Berkefeld, Jason Nysten and Kurt Rodis and there is no shortage of depth in the roster.
For the Hornets Tim Pickert will be one to watch, with an average of 21 points, equal to his score against the Lakers in Round 7.
Jeremiah McKenzie and Mitch Martin also dealt some damage last time around and the Lakers will need to keep them all under control if they are to come out on top.
The second game for the round is played on Sunday afternoon and should see the Lakers with a win over the Ararat Redbacks as the sides lock horns at the Ararat Fitness Centre.
The host team has just two wins for the season so far, against the win-less Warrnambool Seahawks and Hamitlon Hurricanes.
The Lakers are yet to face the Redbacks this year, but based on current form the result should go the way of the guests.
Just two players average double figures in the lineup, with Joshua Fiegert (15.25) and DJ Woods (14.4) posing the only real threats.
Woods comes off the back of a massive 37-point game against the Hurricanes last week and will chase another big score this round.
However, with the depth of the Lakers’ lineup, they will have their bases covered and should go into the clash with confidence.
At the end of the weekend the Lakers have the potential to be a step closer to reclaiming top spot, but it will not come easily and tomorrow’s match will be one not to miss.
That match is set for an 8pm start, while Sunday’s game will tip off at 1pm.
