Week #18 recap - Game #24 vs Perth Redbacks (79 - 100 loss), Game #25 vs Bunbury Slammers (78 – 108 loss)

Well the form was consistent this week if nothing else. Realistically these were both games that we had a chance of competing in, and perhaps for a half we did. However when it came down to it, we just didn’t have what it takes and couldn’t compete for 48 minutes. To the players credit they listened and went out with the right attitude. Our undersized and under experienced lineups just couldn’t compete.

There is an argument that I put to myself that we could have competed better if we had utilised differing tactics. But much as we found when we unexpectedly had Justin Brown arrive to play part way through a season, adjusting to change is difficult at the best of times.

In many ways I have found this much harder. When Justin arrived in 2006, we had set ourselves up as a small quick team. We spent his first few games spectating and wondering what he would do next. By the time we adjusted to his efforts (which earnt him the league MVP) the season was over. This season we lost so many players along the way, changed lineups to try and compensate, and went from what was projected to be a solid and balanced lineup to instead a small inexperienced one.

In the end we have a series of offenses and defences that we can no longer utilise as it doesn’t suit the current teams makeup, and have had to try and put in place new strategies in an effort to be competitive.

It has certainly been a learning experience.

Good parts from the weekend:

• James Elliot (vs Redbacks) – 18pts (9/13 69%fg), 10rbds in 32m
• Ty Alabakis (vs Slammers) – 38pts (13/25 52%fg), 11/19 3pt (58%), 6 rbds
• Keeping our heads up and playing, despite the situation

The not so good :

• 23 and 28 turnovers
• Losing

Perhaps it’s best to close this entry out with the writeup I have done for the program for this weeks game…

“Welcome to the final game for the Eagles 2008 season. To borrow a phrase from Queen Elizabeth II's 40th Anniversary speech, it has been an "annus horribilis" (latin for "horrible year"). The planned team never quite eventuated and worse still, the team that did assemble suffered major setbacks. Still we maintained a positive attitude and fighting spirit that I hope I have instilled within the Eagles since I took over the coaching role in 2006.

We had a number of wins, some unexpected. Even as late as round #13 we pushed top teams such as the Wolves and Giants, and I am proud of the team for keeping their heads up and working hard. Over the past few weeks we have been fielding more young players than ever before and hopefully this will benefit the team in future seasons as these players work with new imports and experienced players, and the streak of bad luck finishes!

Tonight we face the Rockingham Flames, who in a memorable round #9 clash (late May) we beat in an upset on their home court. The Flames are a very strong team currently sitting in second on the SBL ladder and with a very real chance of taking home the 2008 championship. They have succesfully combined imports Tim Bush and Chris Moore, with NBL players Adam Caporn and Aaron Trahair, veteran locals such as Travis Moore and upcoming youngsters such as Ryan Godfrey. They lead the league in points per game, field goal %, and three point % and are well coached by Mark Utley.

We enter the game yet again with only a single player with more than 50 games experience in captain Jon Moon, and the possible return of John Taylor from injury (still uncertain at this time). We will do everything we can to compete, leave nothing behind and do our best to finish the 2008 season on a high note.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the East Perth board members and the many volunteers for all their hard work throughout the season. To Heather Tonkin and the McLennans for their support in managing the team, Geoff Warner for his coaching support, and the players for persisting through a tough season. And most importantly to our supporters who have come to the games and cheered us on, through the good and the bad. Thankyou all and best of luck to all the WABL teams as they continue towards the end of their season.”

Week #17 recap - Game #23 vs Geraldton Buccaneers (76 - 121 loss)

Roadtrips are always an ‘interesting’ experience, and this one could certainly be classified as that. We travelled to Geraldton with 6 rookies, and only 2 players with over 50 games experience ready to suit up. It was always going to be a tough ask, but the experience for the younger players would be good for them.

As it happens, there was a ceremony pre-game to retire Dan Hunt’s jersey. Dan played in the last team to win a championship for the Eagles in 1988, and then headed to Geraldton in 1989 and played the remainder of his career with them. The stadium was packed, and the atmosphere was electric. It’s why a lot of us play and coach, to be involved in games with an atmosphere like that.

Unfortunately Dan’s single year with the Eagles was about all we contributed to the atmosphere, with our poor performance not helping in any way. The Buccaneers have a strong and deep lineup, with quality throughout. They are well coached by Scott Rubery and they showed why they are third on the SBL ladder.

It would be easy to rip into the players and cover every fault. We lacked intensity and heart, but mostly we lacked the kind of experience and instincts necessary to compete in this league. A ridiculously long injury list has led to the current situation and we will do the best we can to be competitive in every remaining game of the season.

Upsides:

• Jarrod Balcombe returning to the lineup with 30pts (11/25 44%fg)
• Our younger players gaining experience in a finals atmosphere

Downsides:

• Shooting 34%fg and conceding 46%fg
• Being outrebounded 35 to 71
• Generally being outplayed, outhustled and outclassed

We have a double header this weekend, playing Perth at Morley and then Bunbury at Eaton. John Taylor returns from his NBL development camp and should be available to play across the weekends games, however Nathan Friend and Damian Stack are out.

Week #16 recap - Game #22 vs Mandurah Magic (96 – 129 loss)

As coaches, we need to be teachers, strategists, and psychologists. The patience of a saint, ability to listen and support, stay positive, know when to be supportive and when to have a rant…the list goes on. Ultimately as an old coaching mentor used to say, you need to be able to make teams over achieve.

I find it difficult to maintain an ongoing awareness of all these things and I try to get regular downtime to take a step back and review progress…objectify and take stock. The ability to self analyse, to review the situation and plan a path of improvement moving forward is something I have consciously tried to put in place over the past few years.

Psycho babble aside, the current situation is not an easy one. A team at the end of its three year program, decimated by injuries and circumstances. Performing well early, promising so much. It is true that opportunities are being presented to the fringe players, but it’s the adage “trying to put old heads on young shoulders”. These players were never expected to step into the roles they have this quickly, and against the quality of opposition currently in the league their inexperience is showing through.

None of this is meant in any way to take away from the efforts of the Mandurah Magic team that played us on the weekend. I have nothing but admiration for Jason Chalk and the players. Coach Chalk has taken a team that was struggling, and put in place discipline and team spirit, and provided a framework for their ongoing improvement. They played hard and disciplined, and consistently went to their strengths.

We struggled to get into a rhythm early and our poor early shooting percentage hurt us badly. But far more important was our lack of defensive intensity, focus and technique. We close out late on the ball, rotate late, our second rotation is non-existant. Our once crisp zone where we moved as the ball was in the air, applied pressure on-ball, anticipated off-ball…has now become second rate as we turn our heads and watch, close out short, slow and without pressure, and fail to consistently rebound.

We allowed a team that is averaging 91 points this season to make 129…a team that is bottom of the league at 38%fg to shoot 49%fg (52% from 3pt). Our defensive intensity was absolutely woeful.

Upsides:

• John Taylor returning for 32 minutes of play, and despite taking a half of basketball to find his rhythm still ending up as our top scorer with 24pts on 48%fg (and 5 assists)

Downsides:

• Defensive effort, understanding and technique
• Offensive fundamentals

John Taylor is in Melbourne across the weekend to attend the NBL Prospects Camp run by Ian Stacker and we wish him all the best. We have Jarrod Balcombe, Nathan Friend and Lucas Offereins returning to the team and will be aiming for a much improved effort this weekend.

This weekend is the Geraldton road trip. Geraldton are in good form and have a strong team, it will be a challenge for us to be competitive. However I believe with the right focus we can take the game to them.

Week #15 recap - Game #20 vs Eastern Suns (97-133 loss), Game #21 vs Stirling Senators (70-92 loss)

I wouldn’t call this weeks losses a disgrace. There are certainly a lot of areas that require improvement. Attitudes were tested. And with what is left remaining available for selection to the squad, we put the best team on the court that we can.

As always, you can look at the situation as an opportunity for the younger and/or fringe players to step up. Friday night saw a strong performance from Lucas Offereins, Saturday night from Alex Franklin. Both showed that with time they have the potential to be players of the future for the club. They will get further opportunities this season and hopefully with the remaining games gain valuable experience.

What is most noticeable is that our style of play provides similar results in regards shot opportunities, steals and such. However our field goal percentage has suffered from the quality of personnel available. Having a 6’8” American centre that has college experience and is a solid player, or a player such as John Taylor that has spent a few years in the league and is constantly improving…replacing them with local players that have potential, but not the same experience…directly reflects such basic statistics as field goal percentage.

Shooting 37% to the Suns 54% (they were 66% in the first half), and 30% to the Senators 43% is a recipe for disaster. Against slightly smaller teams than we have faced in the past few weeks, our rebounding figures were slightly ‘kinder’ (we still lost both) however if you shoot 17% and 13% worse than the opposition, it is always tough to win.

Upsides:

• Turnovers – 19 to 29 against Suns
• FT% - 71% to 59% (15/21 – 17/29) against Senators…yes…an improvement!!!!

Downsides:

• FG% - 37% to 54% and 30% to 43%
• FT% - 55% to 77% (6/11 – 24/31) against Suns
• Reb - 44 to 56 (-12) and 43 to 51 (-8)

Individual Performances:
Suns:

• Jarrod Balcombe - 24pts (47%), 4rbd, 3blk
• Lucas Offereins - 2pts, 7rbds

Senators:

• Jarrod Balcombe - 22pts (47%), 7rbds
• McLennan (in game #300) - 11pts (50%), 4ast, 16rbds with a broken finger
• Alex Franklin – 10pts (3/3 3pt), 3ast

A new thing…the injury list:

• Michael Jones (Moncrief): Visa issues, not playing this year.
• Tim Kruge: ACL, out remainder of season.
• Andrew McLennan: broken hand, out remainder of season.
• John Taylor: Plantar Fasciitis, out remainder of season.
• Jarrod Balcombe: Bruised hand, unavailable this week for private reasons.
• Nathan Friend: Unavailable this week for private reasons.
• Lucas Offereins: Unavailable this week for private reasons.
• Ty Alabakis: Injured foot, fitness test.
• Damian Stack: Flu, fitness test.

Obviously we are weakened with these absences, however just as big an issue with so many experienced players out is their absence at training. Facing stronger players at training every week, learning from them, seeing their intensity…not having this hurts us with so many new players filling out the lineup. In particular players like Michael Jones, Time Kruge and Justin Brown really set the tone and lift others around them.

4 weeks and 5 games remaining, we now face the Mandurah Magic at Morley on Saturday night minus our two leading scorers. We have nothing but pride to play for and it will be up to the newer players to step up to the challenge.

Week #14 recap - Game #19 vs Willetton Tigers (138 – 75 loss)

Disgrace (Noun)
1. Loss of reputation as the result of a dishonourable action.
2. A person or thing regarded as shameful and unacceptable.

(http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/disgrace?view=uk)

There is no other way of putting it. An absolutely disgraceful, insipid and pitiful performance. It sets our efforts over the past 3 years to establish a new identity and gain respect for this team back untold.

It is far too easy to lay blame on circumstances for these sorts of performances. We have proven that we can play hard in the past, and that was completely absent in this game. Injuries play a part with any team, and the Tigers have been underperforming with what is a tremendous lineup. Whichever way you view it a win was always going to be a challenge, but to capitulate by 63 points…

It is the worst loss of my coaching career.

Upsides:

• None

Downsides:

• Allowing an opponent to shoot 55% from the field
• Only shooting 32% from the field
• Being outrebounded 72 to 32
• Having one player, with a major injury, as the only player to show a spine and play hard

We cannot dwell on the performance, only ensure that it does not happen again. We have 7 games remaining in the season, 7 opportunities to prove that game #19 was a one off and that the Eagles are still on track. Friday night we face the Eastern Suns at Morley, Saturday night the Senators at Stirling.

To use a cliché…at this point of the season it is not about whether we win or lose, rather how we play the game.