Buccs keen to atone for poor losses

After two blowout losses last weekend — including a 22-point thumping at the hands of the bottom-placed Kalamunda Eastern Suns — the S&K Electrical Geraldton Buccaneers will be looking to become Giant killers tomorrow night when they take on the Goldfields at Activewest Stadium.

The Buccs may also have to do it without star playmaker Mat Adekponya, who is still under an injury cloud after pulling out of both games of their ill-fated double header.

The 193cm combo guard trained lightly on Tuesday and would have been put through his paces overnight, but at the time of going to print coach Aaron Trahair was unsure of his availability.

One saving grace for the Buccs should be the likely return of point-guard Luke Wrensted, who will provide some much-needed cover in the back court after missing the past four games with a calf strain.

Trahair said despite some members of his squad being a bit “banged up” and others suffering from illness, they were keen to atone for the poor performance last time out.

“What’s happened, happened. We can’t change the results or how we played, all we can concentrate on is getting ready for the Giants this weekend,” he said.

“It’s fair to say the boys were still a little bit down (on Tuesday) but at the same time (we’re) just looking forward to the last 10 games of the season.”

The Giants will rumble into town on the back of a five-game losing streak, and while most of the opposition attention normally lands on their MVP candidate Jacob Holmen, Trahair said dynamic guard Kenny Manigault was just as much of a threat.

“He’s a big strong, athletic guard (who’s) really good up and down the floor,” he said.

“He averages about 23 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and three steals, so he does a bit of everything for them.

“He’s a heck of a player and we’re going to have a heck of a time trying to contain him.”

Tip off for the game is set for 7.30pm tomorrow.