Play-offs are already on coach’s mind

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

TEAM Northumbria have switched to play-off mode a week early - with head coach Chris Bunten preparing for a quarterfinal clash against Sheffield Hatters next month.

The South Yorkshire club will finish third in the WBBL Championship and TN sit sixth.

Only a freak combination of results this weekend will alter TN’s final position with fifth place still mathematically possible.

Bunten said: “In my head I am preparing for a tough trip to Sheffield.

“The game at Nottingham Wildcats on Saturday will be about readying ourselves for the Hatters.

“I am not too concerned about the result as we cannot finish any lower than sixth.

“For this team it is all about finding togetherness and consistency heading into the play-offs.

“For the first time in months everyone is fit and I have options.

“However, it was clear to see against London a perfect storm of circumstances beyond our control left us lacking any kind of form.”

TN became the first team to lose to London Lions this season after Bunten’s side suffered a shock 82-74 homecourt defeat.

The visitors won the final period by 11 points to stun the Sport Central faithful and restore pride to a painful campaign.

Bunten (pictured above) admitted TN’s disappointing display was punctuated by poor decision- making and missed defensive assignments.

He added: “It was a pretty poor performance.

”We went through spells when we looked excellent and periods when we looked awful.

“I was bitterly disappointed with the result and I know the players were too.

“The fact is we have not had a proper team session for more than three weeks – much longer if you factor in my Commonwealth Games commitments and the fact so many players have been injured.

“Nobody is to blame for that but we looked like a team which is rusty and lacking preparation.

“We need a week of practice and the match against Nottingham to get back into some kind of rhythm.”