Miners Look to Get Back on Track

The GMHBA Ballarat Miners are keen to get back on the winners list against the Frankston Blues this weekend at the MARS® MINERDOME.

“Our last game against the Braves our effort was fantastic but we lacked execution in the second half which led to our 81-73 loss to our arch rivals,” said Head Coach David Flint.

“I’m looking forward to a solid effort with the emphasis the last couple of weeks being on the defensive end of the floor which should pay dividends this weekend. We need to recapture our home floor and start to put together four quarters of basketball,” said Flint.

As the Miners have only been able to secure one win so far in this young season (at Brisbane in Round 2), they will be hungry to pick up a win this Saturday. After a narrow loss to the Bendigo Braves in Round 4, Ballarat looks to be making big strides towards getting back on track.

These strides can mostly be attributed to the sharp shooting and hard work of imports Roy Booker and Ken Horton. Booker, who put 22 points on the board last round against Bendigo, has been averaging an outstanding 24 points per game at 50% from the field (48% from behind the arc), and dishing out five assists per game. Horton has also made an immediate and dominant impact for the Miners, averaging 19 points a game at 49% shooting, and pulling in 10 rebounds per game as well. Strong leadership from captain Liam Gibcus and vice-captain Anthony Fisher has also had a noticeable effect on the Miners’ efforts to become a convincing powerhouse within the league.

However, the task of obtaining a win this weekend proves to be a very difficult one for the Miners; the Frankston Blues also look to be hitting their stride, as they handed a very solid Geelong team their first loss of the season last round.

“The Blues are deep and talented and will be difficult to defend in the half court,” said Flint.

Imports Chuck Long and Brandon Polk have been remarkable for Frankston this season. With Long averaging 18 points and seven rebounds a game, and Polk averaging 16 points per game—53% from the field—while grabbing nine rebounds each game, success for the Miners will come in their ability to contain these Frankston imports.

Tip-off for the Miners begins at 8pm, following the Youth League Miners, who play at 6pm at the MARS® MINERDOME.