For the first time in nearly two years, the Sydney Kings come up against a National Basketball League opponent as they face the Wollongong Hawks in what should be a fiery preseason clash at the venerable Snakepit in Wollongong this Friday night.
Sydney-Wollongong games have been traditionally intense and hard-fought and this game represents a significant step up in the level of competition the Kings have dealt with so far in this preseason.
“We’re looking forward to getting out there and playing a team we’ll face a few times this season”, Kings’ guard Luke Martin said.
“It’s going to be a challenge for us to go into that stadium. Wollongong fans are really passionate and I’m sure there will be a great atmosphere on Friday night”.
Over the years, the Kings and Hawks have engaged in some fierce battles, no matter the circumstances. On the surface, this may be nothing more than a practice game as both teams gear up for the 2010/11 regular season, but for these arch-rivals, the reality will be something completely different.
They’ll be hanging from the rafters at the Snakepit, one of the great old NBL gyms and the original home of the Hawks, and you better believe those Hawk fans will be baying for Sydney’s blood. The faces may be different, and it may have been a long time since the Kings have been in the league, but nothing has changed as far as Wollongong supporters are concerned.
They want to beat Sydney in the worst possible way.
To that end, the Kings will need to approach this game with a great deal more intensity and focus than what they displayed last week in Maitland.
Sydney came out flat against the Maitland Mustangs and nearly paid the price, but managed to escape with a tight victory after an improved second half display.
“We’ve definitely identified areas we need to work on”, Martin admitted. “Rebounding is a concern and we need to do a better job of containing dribble penetration, but the main thing for us is we need to make sure we come with the right mindset and we’re always ready to play”.
“Maitland was a little wakeup call for us, and we realise that game was one we need to learn from”.
The last time Sydney went up against an NBL ballclub was Game Five of their classic 2008 NBL Grand Final series with the Melbourne Tigers and this should be a good early barometer of their form against a team that was a true Cinderella story last season.
The Hawks were predicted by many judges to finish last in the competition, but shocked the NBL by losing just once at home all season. They finished second in the minor rounds and took eventual champion the Perth Wildcats right to the limit in a pulsating Grand Final series, ending their brilliant campaign with a great deal of honour.
Eight of that team returns this season including one-time Sydney Kings’ forward Glen Saville, who is joined by Wollongong legend Matty Campbell and vastly improved big man Larry Davidson in an imposing troika.
The Hawks have also signed new American point guard Gary Ervin and are frantically trying to secure his immigration clearance for this game. If he is good to go, he should present Martin and fellow point guard Luke Cooper with some tough competition.
For Sydney’s part, they are looking for more out of new import Taj McCullough, who had a solid 15 points on debut last week and displayed some good outside shooting range. Martin is impressed with the athletic forward out of Winthrop University and predicted he would be a difficult matchup for anyone in the National Basketball League.
“I think he’s just going to get better and better as the season goes on”, Martin said.
“He’s going to be a tough cover for any power forward in the league. He’s big enough and strong enough and athletic enough to defend them, but I’m not sure the same can be said for when he’s got the ball and they have to try to stop him”.
“He’s active and explosive, and he’ll be a really solid player for the Kings”.
Expect a much improved display from the Kings this Friday night. They know they have to up the level of their play against a quality team coming off an outstanding campaign in 2009/10.
Sydney is champing at the bit to get underway against a genuine NBL opponent, and even though it’s preseason, the Kings are determined to put on a good showing for the many fans of the purple and gold sure to make the trek down the F6 freeway.
Kings-Hawks. It’s history. It’s tradition. It’s a rivalry renewed.
Tickets are $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for children and $20.00 for a family of four. A limited number will be available at the Snakepit door, or you can reserve your seat by calling the Wollongong Hawks’ office on 02 42297722.
Sydney Kings vs Wollongong Hawks
Friday 3 September
Tipoff 7:00pm
Illawarra Basketball Stadium (The Snakepit)
Beaton Park, Gwynneville
