HOME: Sam Sinclair in action for the Waikato BOP Magic. PHOTO/MICHAEL BRADLEY
After an extended time away from the court before their last game, Waikato-BOP Magic have had just four days between their loss to the Mystics and tomorrow's game against the Southern Steel in Rotorua.
Rotorua's Magic regular Sam Sinclair said it was unfortunate, but not a major hindrance.
"It's a little bit niggly, but I think we've got a team of pretty fit girls who can cope with a quick turnaround like that and we've got good recovery strategies," she said.
Magic took a bonus point from the Mystics on Wednesday, but lost 59-54, the second time they have been bettered by the Auckland-based franchise.
Magic's only other loss so far was to tomorrow's opponents, but they are sitting second in the competition ladder.
"The Steel are a completely different team to the Mystics and we've got different game plans and different structures that we need to put in place," said Sinclair.
"The good thing about the competition is that we do get to play everybody three times, so we have lost to Mystics twice but we get another chance at them and we've got two more, including this Sunday, against Steel."
A Magic win would close the gap on the so far unbeaten Southerners, but that isn't foremost in Sinclair's mind.
"In the moment you have to just think about the job, but longer term the top four is pretty tight at the moment. Second, third and fourth is really really close and any win and every point that we get is going to be crucial in the next few weeks.
"We didn't really do ourselves justice [against Mystics] by just coming home with one point and letting them get two. [The competition ladder] has to be at the back of our minds, but at the end of the day, we're not going to get [higher] unless we perform in the moment, so the first job is to play the game in front of us."
Sinclair said she was scratching her head when pondering Wednesday's loss.
"There were so many little things we could have tidied up on court and it's difficult to put your finger on one thing - but I think we need to go back to our numbers and look at; are we doing a good enough job on scoring on turnover ball or are we not getting enough ball turnover-wise or are we throwing too much away?
"I think we need to take a good look at that and take responsibility for our individual mistakes as well because we almost got there against the Mystics, but not quite, and against a team like Steel any mistake you make you're going to pay for it."
Young netballers will get the chance to get up close and personal with the Magic players at the fully subscribed Red Stag netball day today at Rotorua Netball Centre.
"It's a fun day and I can clearly remember being in their position and being so excited," said Sinclair.
They are, of course, the netball courts she began on.
"My earliest netball memories are of early Saturday morning down at the courts with my St Mary's uniform when I was 6 years old, and it's awesome to return there and as a netballer.
"I think we all, any netballer, has a duty to give back to the next age group coming through and as Magic players we are in a position where we are considered role models, and we want to be leaders and encourage youngsters to play netball and get involved and set some goals and dream high because one day it could be them in this team."
Playing in Rotorua gives Sinclair a chance to catch up with friends and family.
"All the players are based in Hamilton, but to go and play in places like Rotorua and Tauranga is pretty awesome for spectators.
"And for myself, playing at home is always awesome. The fact that it's Mother's Day as well just makes it a little bit more special and hopefully we'll get all the mums down there to support us as well.
"The support we get at home is just awesome. The last game we played there was against the Pulse and we won by two and it definitely helps having a home crowd backing us."
Tomorrow's game at Rotorua Energy Events Centre starts at 2pm. It will be followed at 4pm by the Beko Netball League clash between Netball WBOP and Netball South.