HORSHAM will be looking to avenge its round four belting at the hands of Mt Gambier in the men’s Country Basketball League on Saturday night.
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The Hornets return to the Horsham Basketball Stadium after a month on the road and needing an important win.
It will be backed up by a game against Portland on Sunday.
With the competition nearing the end of the season, jostling among the top-four sides is intense as the Hornet attempt to grab the best position for a finals run.
Coach Cam Bruce said they were ready for the challenge after losing by 41 points against the Lakers in round four.
We are really excited because we usually have good games against that are close against Mt Gambier,” he said.
“The boys are just excited to get into it and give it a good crack.”
Bruce said he had a plan mapped out to defeat the Lakers.
“These guys have been playing together for a number of years and they are really tough to guard,” he said.
“We beat them last year with a similar side so we will use the same tactics and build on that.
“There is a game plan we will put in place at training and see if we can make it work on game day.”
If the Hornets can pull it off, it will provide a big confidence boost for them as they head into finals.
Importantly, the Hornets have the entire squad available for the match, including veteran guard Brett Goodgame.
With Goodgame, Tim Pickert and Damien Skurrie all in the side, they will have plenty of firepower to be damaging on the scoreboard.
Between those three players, they have the potential to score 20 points each, giving the Hornets every chance to reach 80 or 90 points on Saturday night.
It will also take some of the focus off other regular contributors.
Mick O’Callaghan, Matt Lovel and James Hallet may find themselves with more space and time to shoot, along with less defensive pressure when they have the ball around the key.
Bruce said his side won’t make many adjustments as they welcomed Goodgame back on Saturday night.
“It will be a different game with Tim and Brett back in the side and Damien Skurrie as well,” he said.
“But with me Tim and Goody all on the court it will be exciting and something we are looking forward to.
“No matter who we play with we will just work through our game.”
Hornets fans will be salivating at the prospect of seeing the experience of Bruce and Goodgame paired with talls such as Skurrie and O’Callaghan.
Bruce said all the veterans on the Hornets knew each other well together.
After taking on the Lakers on Saturday night the Hornets will have to also play the Coasters on Sunday.
The Coasters are fifth on the Country Basketball League ladder and require a win to keep in touch with the top four and finals.
With two extra games, the Hornets must get wins to ensure the remain inside the top-four.
The Hornets and Coasters will tip-off at 2pm at the Horsham Basketball Stadium.
They will play the remainder of the home and away season in Horsham.
It is good news for their fans who have endured a number of away games in November.
