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THE Albury-Wodonga Bandits will again be short-handed for this weekend’s SEABL clash, with a replacement for injured centre Momo Ntumba yet to be finalised.
Coach Brad Chalmers said he had a short-list of potential replacements for Ntumba — who is to undergo season-ending surgery on his injured left knee — and was hopeful of announcing the new recruit by early next week.
It is understood the Bandits are looking at several US college players, as well as a number of former SEABL imports.
“There’s three or four players we’re looking at,” Chalmers said.
“Hopefully we’ll have something locked away soon, fingers crossed.
“It’s so we can get a visa organised first and then pick one of these players who will be comfortable coming in and playing.”
The Border club takes on fellow strugglers Brisbane Spartans tomorrow night and Chalmers said it was time the rest of his squad stepped up and delivered.
Sitting last in the East Conference with a similar record to the Bandits, the Spartans will be no pushovers at home.
Indeed, Albury-Wodonga has never beaten Brisbane at Carina, a nail-biting 83-81 defeat last year the closest the Bandits have come.
“They (Brisbane) played well last weekend, they’re really talented and can put pressure on the scoreboard,” Chalmers said.
“But for us, it’s really about our guys stepping up, guys have to start taking ownership of this now.
“We’re getting patches of inconsistent form and really, it’s just putting heat back on the players now that they need to, as a group, take this challenge head-on and get after it.
“There’s no excuses, no option but to get in there and get your hands dirty.
“The season is well and truly still right there for us, if we get a good result we can build momentum from there for the next couple of weeks.”
In Ntumba’s absence, Chalmers will likely start reserve guard Michael Watson, who gave the Bandits a pronounced spark in the first quarter of last weekend’s loss to Mount Gambier.
Watson is expected to take defensive duties on Spartan Scott Kenny, who is leading the Queensland club with 19.3 points per game.
Chalmers said Ntumba’s injury represented an opportunity for players to help fill a massive breach.
“There’s no discussion about ‘poor us’,” Chalmers said.
“Guys have got an opportunity for extra touches, extra shots, so I think, if anything, it’s really exciting for the guys who are left.
“But at the same time, they have to replace the heart, energy and enthusiasm Momo brings to the table and that will be the biggest thing we need to see.”