Their accuracy and workrates must improve. Whether it's a platoon or a sports team going into battle there has to be quality leadership.
More was expected from the Hawks co-captains, Perth Wildcats ANBL-title winning point guard Jarrod Kenny and fellow international point guard Everard Bartlett yesterday, in terms of leading by example and providing the necessary chat. They finished with 14 and nine points respectively.
As they strolled into the dressing room at halftime Kenny had a 33.33 (2/6) field goal percentage and Bartlett 20 per cent (1/5). Considering the pre-season fuss made about the pair's signings these figures are unacceptable. Their end-of-the-match field goal percentages were worse - Kenny's 37.5 and Bartlett's 16.67.
Hawks assistant coach Shane Brown admitted the hosts failed to execute the game plan.
"As a team we scored 89 points. Three of their players scored 86 [forward Marcel Jones a game high 39, imported guard Jeremy Kendle 27 and co-captain Ethan Rusbatch 20] which means we struggled to defend those boys.
"We lost the intensity and needed a lot more urgency to get to those 50-50 plays. It was disappointing," Brown said.
He said the poor display couldn't be attributed to over-training or anything similar.
"It was just a mental thing. The boys trained well this week . . . in fact some of the players were exceptional at training and it's disappointing when the game turns out to be a different story," Brown added.
Once again gutsy forwards Joshua Fox and Ana Haku had some dominant patches. There just weren't enough of them.
Fox was the Hawks' top scorer with 21 points, including four from five at the free throw line. Haku finished with 12 points including two three pointers from as many attempts and four from five field goal attempts.
The 62.5 success rate (20/32) from the Hawks at the free thrown line in their own fort isn't good enough. The Rams finished with 14 from 17 for an 82.4 success rate.
Watching the Rams reminded one of watching an in-form Crusaders Super Rugby team in action. They were well structured and they stuck to their systems regardless of how big the hiding was they were dishing out.
Rams head coach Mark Dickel had obviously set some serious goals for the game.
"Stay to our rules," he yelled at his players with 3m 52s remaining in the game.
His players did and Dickel should have been proud of the contributions of all eight of his players.
It was awesome to see the arena three-quarters full. Another display like yesterday's on the road this weekend and fans will be excused if they don't turn out with the same force at the next home game on May 6.
Scorers:
Canterbury Rams 106 (Marcel Jones 39 pts, 10 reb, 5 ast; Jeremy Kendle 27 pts, 8 reb, 6 ast; Ethan Rusbatch 20 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast), Taylor Corp Bay Hawks 89 (Joshua Fox 21 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast; Amir Williams 15 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast; Jarrod Kenny 14 pts, 3 reb, 9 ast). Quarters (Hawks first), 1st: 20-25. 2nd: 34-52 (14-27). 3rd: 58-76 (24-24). 4th: 89-106 (31-30).
