Lightning coaches reflect on disappointing losses to Flames, better effort v Wolves

THE Lakeside Lightning went 0-4 last weekend with coaches Craig Mansfield and Sam Oatman disappointed especially in Friday's loss to Rockingham but happier despite the defeats on Saturday against the league-leading Joondalup Wolves.

The Lightning Women entered last weekend in some strong form winning three straight over the Cockburn Cougars, Willetton Tigers and East Perth Eagles, but it was always going to be two huge tests opposed to the defending champion Flames and league-leading Wolfpack.

Rockingham ended up beating Lakeside 76-58 on Friday night and then 24 hours later, Joondalup defeated Lakeside 72-63.

Those results leave the Lightning on an 8-8 record on the season in sixth position ahead of a crucial clash with the ninth placed Mandurah Magic this Saturday night ahead of a week off and a big finish to the 2016 regular season.

Looking back on last weekend, Mansfield was far from happy with the performance against the Flames and while happier with the effort against the Wolves, he still saw plenty of areas to improve on starting this Saturday night.

"I was disappointed with how we played on Friday night against Flames. They are a very good team and the best in the competition now Ibekwe has joined them but we gave ourselves no opportunity to compete playing the wrong way. Our mental focus in a few areas needed to be significantly better," Mansfield said.

"Saturday night at Wolves we came out really well and held a lead at quarter-time. The game tightened up from there and both teams traded baskets until late in the fourth.

"The Wolves are fantastic defensively but in the fourth quarter our offence became very stagnant and I will need to review film and find ways to give my players better opportunities in close games like that."

And with the Lightning Men, they were never in the contest on Friday night with the Rockingham Flames cruising to the 109-79 victory.

It was a vastly improved effort then on Saturday night despite the loss to the Wolves. The Wolfpack still won 93-84 but it was a much better performance by the Lightning against the defending champions.

Daniel Alexander stepped up to recapture his form from earlier in the season with 36 points, 11 rebounds and four assists with TJ Hallice adding 19 points and Matthew Vinci 10 points.

The Lightning have now lost 11 straight matches following the weekend but Oatman was at least pleased with the effort of his group against the Wolves after seeing precious little to like against the Flames.

"They (Flames) were physically and mentally tougher than us. They whooped us pretty good in every area. I thought Taylor Land really set the tone for them at both ends of the floor. His aggressiveness and leadership were outstanding," Oatman said.

"I was really proud of the fight my guys showed (against Wolves). They competed right to the end. They shot 48 free throws and made 36, while we only got to the line 26 times. That’s been a major factor for us all season.

"Teams consistently shoot about twice as many free throws as we do. I don’t know why that is. We must just foul too much. We’ve got to find a way to play better D without fouling."

Article by Chris Pike
Photo by Serene-Elise Photography




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