Darren Zary
Saskatoon StarPhoenix
Down but not out.
The Saskatchewan Rattlers are facing a “must-win” scenario as they wrap up the Canadian Elite Basketball League regular season with three straight games on the road.
Despite losing nine of their last 10 games, including a 91-87 loss Thursday night at home to the Edmonton Stingers, the Rattlers are still alive in the playoff race.
Saskatchewan, with a 6-11 record, can still catch the Winnipeg Sea Bears (7-9).
Those two teams will meet Saturday night in Winnipeg for a crucial match-up.
“Somehow we’re still in it,” said Rattlers head coach Larry Abney. “Someone’s looking out for us. I don’t know how we’re still in it, but somehow we’re still in it. If I can get the message across in the next three days, and the next three games, that we can do this for 40 minutes at a time, then we’re in a good place.”
On Thursday, the Rattlers were in a good place when they mounted a valiant comeback attempt after being down by as many as 15 points in the third quarter and 14 in the fourth quarter.
They managed to knot the score at 85-85 — with a game-winning target score set at 90 during the Elam-ending period — before a controversial foul called on the Rattlers resulted in a four-point swing that tilted the game in Edmonton’s favour.
“Nobody’s happy to lose but we’re still alive,” said Rattlers guard Cody John, who netted 20 points and three clutch three-pointers during Elam time. “We go to Winnipeg and that’s a must-win for us. We’ve still got some more basketball to play, so we’ve still got to stay together. We still believe. It’s a new team, basically (after some mid-season roster changes) but we’re in every single game.
“Our season’s on the line. It’s do or die. We’ve just got to stay together and try and close out games in the fourth.”
Saskatchewan jumped out to an early 13-4 lead Thursday and led 24-22 after the opening quarter. It was a see-saw battle in the second quarter, but the Stingers, led by the inside presence of Brody Clarke, went on a run in the third quarter and nearly put the game out of reach.
“It comes down to us having breakdowns in the third (quarter) a lot, especially at one point where they scored in four possessions in a row on literally the same play, on the dump-off to Brody, which killed us,” said Rattlers guard Emmanuel Bandoumel, who had 10 points.
“It’s about going back to being smart defensively, trusting the defensive scheme, and the same goes on the other side, trusting our offensive scheme and get into action where we can get us a great shot on the rim.”
The Rattlers have been guilty of lapses that prove costly.
“Defensively, I’m asking my guys to be exhausted when they leave the court,” stressed Rattlers head coach Larry Abney. “They’re doing it for the most part. Everyone’s playing hard. But you’ve got to put together your IQ with the playing hard.
“When one of those are missing — when there’s somebody doesn’t sprint to the corner (to guard), doesn’t front back or somebody messes up a scheme we’re in — it compounds because then we come back and it makes for a bad offence and it gives them a fast break. It’s film right now, showing them what the expectations are and showing them what they look like when they’re capable, what we look like when we’re capable.
“If I can get that message across — I’ve got one more chance to do it — and we can do it for 40 minutes, then we’re going to do something really incredible.”
Bandoumel said he feels the team’s level of desperate play needs to be elevated even more.
“We’re on the road for the next three games to finish up the season, which is like a hostile environment and we need to be feeling the urgency and be out there and actually playing like it’s the last possession every possession,” he said. “I think that’s what we lack at the moment a little bit.
“The feeling of desperation needs to be at its highest to actually get a chance to win and get to the playoffs.”
dzary@postmedia.com
