Flames snuffed out as defence woes put pressure on import

Rockingham Flames coach Mark Utley has admitted his side must work on its defensive frailties after being dismantled by Perry Lakes Hawks on Saturday.

The Flames slumped to a 37-point loss, 132-95, at the Mike Barnett Sports Complex, leaving them winless after three rounds.

American import Cooper Land was a bright spark for the Flames with 28 points, and now leads the SBL scoring charts.

Utley said his team had paid the price for failing to formulate a new game plan without import Stephen Bennett.

Bennett is still awaiting clearance to turn-out for the Flames after visa wrangles, but Utley is hopeful the American will be available for Sunday’s derby showdown with Mandurah.

“I think it’s a case of the guys have been waiting for our second import to arrive, which has been a really unfortunate situation,” he said.

“He was playing in Germany and we were told it would be a maximum 10-day turnaround and basically we’re still waiting and so is Stephen.

“Stephen is getting frustrated and so are we.”

Utley said Bennett’s absence had put pressure on Land to carry the side’s scoring chances.

“It has sort of affected us mentally, it means Trent Gerovich is carrying too much of a load as the principle ball-carrier when he’s a shooting guard as well,” he said.

“It also means there’s been a lot more importance placed on Cooper Land with scoring, last week he got his 28 points, but he was well down in terms of energy.

“Stephen will be able to create a lot for him (Cooper) and I think he’s missing that extra point guard as well.”

Utley pinpointed defence as an area that needed major improvement before Sunday’s clash.

Flames have shipped 382 points in just three games, a figure which clearly irks Utley.

“We’re scoring with anyone, with our average we should be winning games,” he said.

“But the simple fact is that we can’t stop people at the moment, our defence isn’t good enough.

“Probably I didn’t realise fundamentally, in defence, how much learning we needed.

“We’re going to have to go back to basics, but I’ve learnt that we can compete with any team.”

Throw-in for Sunday’s game is at 2pm, the women’s sides will duke it out at noon, at Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre.