Hawks bring talons and talent to Geraldton Buccaneers

They are the biggest success story of the State Basketball League — and they’re coming to Geraldton with plans of ruffling feathers.

The Perry Lakes Hawks, the reigning premiers and six-time titleholders in their 30-year life, will be in the coastal city tomorrow night for a showdown with the Geraldton Buccaneers.

But this assignment will be tougher than originally thought — thanks, or no thanks, to a club which sits on the other side of Perth from the Hawks.

When the Kalamunda Eastern Suns did a “hit and run” raid on the Buccs last weekend, it ensured one thing. The home side is going to be dirty tomorrow night. Real dirty — and they want to make the Hawks squawk.

The Hawks bank on letting their walking, or rather running, do their talking.

And with two current day Wildcats in their side, they have plenty of muscle.

However, Clint Steindl and Shawn Redhage were well below their best in the loss to the Rockingham Flames last weekend.

Redhage, in his second outing for the Hawks, shot seven points from his 23 minutes, while Steindl landed 16 points.

Despite this, coach Matt Parsons, who has also led Cockburn to an SBL title, isn’t too concerned.

“We may have been resting on our laurels a little as we’ve had a settled and key unit,” he said.

“We’ve got to get the new members to gel and our plans are for deeper in the season.

“First and foremost, Clint and Shaun are great guys and will give us plenty. Shawn’s just started and will take some time to integrate into our program. There’ll be some growing pains but we will get there.

“Last weekend wasn’t our greatest but there was a sense of predictability about it. We’ve got to pick up on the intangibles and one percenters.”

Parsons said he would be catching vision — and making some inquiries — to see what the Suns did in Geraldton last weekend.

“Don’t know whether they jumped the Buccs or what — but they obviously did something right and I’ll be trying to find out what it was,” Parsons added.

“I’m travelling with my wife and kids to Geraldton as they haven’t been to a game there and it’s a unique experience.

“The boys will all come up in the bus.”