While the Albury-Wodonga Bandits season hasn’t entirely gone to script so far, the side has the perfect opportunity to finish the weekend with a positive win-loss record.
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The Bandits face a tough double-header with two games in 24 hours on Friday and Saturday.
An in-form Geelong Supercats outfit awaits the Border side on Friday night at the Lauren Jackson Sports Centre, before it hits the road to face the Bendigo Braves on Saturday.
Bandits’ captain Jack Duck said the Easter break was needed ahead of a big weekend on the court, starting with Geelong who has won three of its first four matches.
“They’ve had the same core group for years now and it’s been a successful core group,” Duck said.
“They’re tough every year and it will be a tough start to a double-header for sure, but we’re focused on Geelong for now and hopefully we can come out and beat them.”
Duck said the preparation slightly changes on weeks like this, particularly when there’s a Friday night game.
“Training on Thursday nights aren’t going to be as heavy and we had a training session last weekend, which made up for it,” he said.
“In regards to scouting, we focus on Geelong and get through that, and, once Friday night is done, we’ll move our focus to Bendigo and try knock them off as well.”
Duck said while the aim is to always try to protect their home court as much as possible, the beauty of basketball is the opportunity to quickly make up a deficit.
“That’s where weekends like this come into play and are so big,” he said.
“As a whole, you’ve got to take advantage of weekends with two games where people aren’t expecting you to come out with two wins.
“That’s our goal this weekend and anything below that will be pretty disappointing I’d say.”
The captain admitted it always takes a bit of time for new players to get used to the Bandits’ game style and the league in general, but last round’s win against Sandringham produced plenty of positives.
“JB (Justin Browning) stepped up a bit and TJ (Robinson) obviously had a great game,” Duck said.
“We’re gelling really well and hopefully we just keep moving forward.”