THE Mount Gambier Lakers men return to the floor on Sunday when they host Portland Coasters in round 11 of the Country Basketball League.
The competition went on a break over the Christmas period, with the last game for the Lakers on December 15.
In that game Mount Gambier claimed a 46-point victory over the Hamilton Hurricanes to remain in touch with the Horsham Hornets at the top of the ladder.
In fact, the Lakers have claimed 10 wins from 12 games, with one draw thrown in, while Hamilton has nine wins from its 10 games, with its one loss to the Lakers the second time the two teams met this season.
Portland has just four wins from its nine outings, but will be no pushover, despite a big loss to the Lakers back in round four.
In that game Mount Gambier travelled across the border to the “Lighhouse”, where they dealt the Coasters an 86-42 defeat.
This time the game takes place at the Icehouse and it is hard to see any different result.
The Lakers have shown dominant form this season, apart from a close contest in the opening round against Geelong, plus the loss to the Hornets in round seven.
But that four-point loss was turned around in round nine when the Lakers dealt the Hornets a 20-point defeat over in Horsham.
Against Portland coach Kane de Wit had a dominant game around the basket, with a game-high 25 points, while Matt Berkefeld, Braiden Ousey and Lachie Hunter also reached double figures.
But the defensive effort made life tough for the Coasters, with no Portland player reaching double figures.
Even after holding a strong lead heading into the final stanza, the Lakers were relentless, pushing hard to the end of the game.
On their home court there should be no doubt about the outcome, with the Lakers sure to stamp their authority on the contest and run out convincing victors.
The game tips off at 1pm.
