Saints Pre-Season breakdown

The Wellington Saints sailed across the Tasman this weekend to take play in the Pre-season series against Canterbury Rams and Nelson Giants in an action packed two days. After a loss to Nelson on day 1, the Saints came back strongly to defeat Canterbury Rams straight after. Day 2 also proved successful for the team taking away two dubs tallying 3-1 for the weekend. 

Coronel was happy for the opportunity for the court time and for the team to get some good time away together. "It was a great opportunity for us to travel to Blenheim as a group via Interislander. The boys enjoyed each other's company on the ferry, which was great, as we're a new group and still getting to know each other."

"Day one was about applying our pre-season learnings against foreign opposition and also learning from the problems they posed for us. We made a lot of mental mistakes versus a hot Nelson Giants team, ably coached by Mike Fitchett, and lost on the buzzer. We backed that up with a narrow win over the Rams. Following a video review and team talk on the morning of Day Two we had a much better understanding of how to apply all we have learned in a game context. This lead to two dominant wins. It was pleasing to beat a full strength Rams team with both their imports - although of course they distributed their minutes more so than they will in a regular season. Finally against the Giants we were lockdown defensively, holding them to long scoring droughts. Overall, two days of pleasing progression."

The pre-season was a great lead in to our first game on the road and for the season this weekend. The squad has now stacked out with the arrival of both American imports Romaro Gill and Kerwin Roach who have now concluded their 14-day managed isolation this morning and head to their first team training tonight.