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Breakers coaches demand more from troops

Author
Newstalk ZB staff,
Publish Date
Mon, 25 Sep 2017, 2:54PM
The Sky City NZ Breakers 2017/18 Season Launch (Photosport)
The Sky City NZ Breakers 2017/18 Season Launch (Photosport)

Breakers coaches demand more from troops

Author
Newstalk ZB staff,
Publish Date
Mon, 25 Sep 2017, 2:54PM

The New Zealand Breakers have "flushed away" their recent pre-season blowout defeat to Melbourne United, assistant Mike Fitchett says.

Fitchett's Breakers have a patchy three-win, two-loss pre-season record to date, with their most recent effort a 101-62 loss to United in New Plymouth.

It was a thumping that infuriated the Breakers' top brass, who felt their players had hit the court with an uncharacteristic lethargy.

They would demand urgent improvement in both defence and attack for Wednesday's final pre-season match against the Brisbane Bullets in Tauranga.

Their Australian NBL tilt starts on October 8 against Cairns Taipans.

"They're all professionals, they know they need to come in focused and ready, but there's always a good reminder at some stage of the season and we're happy it happened in pre-season," Fitchett told reporters.

"We flushed that game away pretty quickly and moved on."

Fitchett said the match in Tauranga would serve as another chance for the likes of Edgar Sosa and DJ Newbill to gel into the Breakers' set-up.

The imported duo would be crucial for the side's 2017-18 chances.

Elsewhere, the Breakers' coaching staff hoped to see a number of key point- scorers up their form and for the side to nail their defensive plan.

They wouldn't decide upon their starting five for the ANBL season opener against Cairns until the final minute, giving everyone a chance to impress.

"It's another good chance for a hit-out and to shake off what happened against Melbourne, make sure it doesn't happen again," Fitchett said.

"The guys are always playing for starting spots."

 

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