TWO games in two days gives the Bathurst Goldminers a prime opportunity to strike in this weekend’s men’s Waratah Youth League division two action.
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Goldminers hold a 2-2 record early in the season and can bring a top five spot within their grasp should be able to overcome both the Hills Hornets and Moss Vale Magic on their away double header.
NSW Country under 18s basketball will take Kobe Mansell out of the equation for the Goldminers but the Bathurst team will benefit from the return of both Nathan Germech and Anai Mathiang.
The meeting with Hills shapes up at the danger game given the Hornets boast a three-game winning streak.
Their latest win was to the tune of 96-81 over defending champions Newcastle Hunters.
“Hills are going to be really tough but I’ll have a stronger side than what I took to Shoalhaven, particularly height wise,” Goldminers coach Andrew Osborn said.
“I don’t know what Hills will be like. Based on their results they’re not doing too badly. Hills are a very strong basketball association and I’ve never known them to put a weak side on the court.
“If we can come away from a win from that game then that will be a bonus.”
The Magic lost their latest match 77-63 to the Macarthur Heat.
With Nathan’s rebounding ability that’s a huge bonus for us.
- Andrew Osborn
Considering the Goldminers coasted to a huge 103-69 win over the Heat earlier in the season Osborn is expecting his team to dominate Moss Vale.
“I know that their big, strong centre they had last year is ineligible because of age,” he said.
“I think our skill level will be better. I think our fitness will be better. I believe our ability to play a variety of offences and defences should also be favourable.”
Mansell’s absence leaves a big void for the Goldminers to fill, in particular from beyond the arc.
However, the two returning players will allow Bathurst to bolster their offence and defence around the post.
“With Nathan’s rebounding ability that’s a huge bonus for us. Anai has also been playing really good basketball,” Osborn said.
“Nathan can play three or four whereas Anai can play four or five. That’s where we’ve been wanting a little bit so with those two back I breathe I sigh of relief.
“It gives us that more strength, particularly on our defensive boards. If we get the majority of those then that’s a big benefit for us, and if we get the offensive boards then there’s the put-back opportunity for us.”
