Team-first mentality getting the job done for the Geraldton Buccaneers as they prepare for another road series

The Geraldton Buccaneers’ “well-oiled machine” continues to win with their team-first mentality, as they prepare for another road double-header that could include captain Aaron Ralph’s 450th game. With coach Dayle Joseph away from the side on the weekend, it was assistant coach Carter Cook who stepped up against the Senators. The game plan didn’t change much, but the team did have to deal with changing times and courts with weather issues. “Same game plan, Saturday was a bit weird just with the game being moved up, then getting there and the court being wet, so moving into court five,” Cook said. “Once you get in a mindset of are we playing or are we not, then that’s when things can go wrong. So we just try to keep it as normal as possible.” Despite the chaos before the match, Geraldton came out and dominated the Senators, putting up their highest score for the season in the 106-77 victory. Cook said the win was a credit to the players and the system that Joseph has in place. “I think everyone was just firing, it helped they didn’t have (Todd) Withers on their side as well, but the boys were comfortable and shooting the ball,” he said. “Dayle has such a good system in place that it kind of runs itself, I didn’t really have to do much. “I told him yesterday that you’ve got a well-oiled machine here.” Joseph praised the players who help execute their game plan week in, week out. “I think it’s bit of a credit to everyone, I inherited a reasonably good team way back in 2019, and we’ve made some changes, more accountability changes than anything else,” he said. “Then to have experienced guys that are happy to push that down the line and make sure it happens, I think that’s been a big key to our team.” Saturday’s win highlighted the success that the imports have had this season, with both Nik DeSantis and Josh Keyes leading the side in scoring. The new-look Buccs have adapted, which has helped elevate the team to the top of the NBL1 West ladder with a 12-1 record. “I think Nik probably struggled a little bit the first few weeks, but he has adapted to the way we play…I like to think we’re getting a lot better Nik then maybe he was playing last year in South Australia,” he said. “Then Junior (Garbrah) coming in not long ago seems to be fitting in really well, quickly as well…I’ll give credit to him that he’s well driven from his college days. “Josh Braun’s a professional basketball player, so he’s had no trouble picking it up either and fitting in as well.” Despite their top status, no Buccs player has been recognised as the NBL1 West player of the week or month, highlighting their successful group style of play. “I think it’s a bit of a pat on the back to our guys to say the way we are doing thing, it’s a group mentality not an individual mentality that we get things done,” Joseph said. The Buccs now head back on the road for another double header — their fifth so far this season. In Perth this weekend, they will take on the Rockingham Flames and Perry Lakes Hawks. The team aims to keep their road success going with the side undefeated away from home this season. “Just keep getting better every week is probably our goal at the moment, make sure we hold on to our position on the ladder and make sure we keep improving,” Joseph said. “Make sure teams are aware of the Buccaneers.” If he plays in both games, Sunday will be a highlight match with captain Aaron Ralph appearing in his 450th game for the Buccaneers. The Buccs face Rockingham on Saturday and Perry Lakes on Sunday.