Wounded Slammers 'can still make it'

The Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers are still confident of making the SBL playoffs despite slumping to a third consecutive loss on Friday night, according to playing coach Ty Harrelson.

An undermanned Slammers line-up was humbled 78-66 by 12th placed Stirling at the Eaton Recreation Centre.

An injury cloud is hovering over the Slammers as they prepare to host Kalamunda in a crucial contest this Friday night.

Despite being described as a certain starter by Harrelson last week, Jay Warren (knee) could not complete the warm-up on Friday night while former captain Trent Worthington did not suit up after suffering a leg injury at training.

Lee Smith (achilles) and Harrelson (ankle) both returned to the Slammers’ squad but were not at full fitness.

Harrelson still came away with a double-double (15 points, 11 rebounds) while Clive Weeden stepped up to score 31 points.

“Clive has played great in the past few games,” Harrelson said.

“We made a conscious effort to get inside to him and get him the amount of touches he should have been getting the past few games.

“He got up enough shots to show what he can do.

“But we didn’t provide support to him we missed our outside shots and a lot of free throws.”

The Slammers left 14 points on the stripe on Friday night while Stirling also won on the glass, outrebounding the Slammers 54-42.

Cory Cooperwood (25 points), Nikolas Iliadis (18 points) and Jordan Wild (16 points, 12 rebounds) were the Senators’ best.

Meanwhile, Lauren Jeffers hit a threepoint buzzer-beater in the final seconds to lift the Slammers women to a 52-49 victory over the Senators.

The victory was an important one for the Slammers, who are ninth on the ladder six games out from the playoffs.

Gracely Smith was outstanding for the Slammers with 20 points and nine rebounds, while Zoe Harper and Jeffers both ended with 11.

Kim Sitzmann scored 10 points for the South West team.