Sixers aim for road double in Hawks clash

Adelaide 36ers will be looking to make it two-from two on this January road trip but must stop a resurgent Illawarra Hawks on Saturday night at WIN Entertainment Centre.

The Hawks will be backing up on their home floor just 48 hours after losing on the buzzer to Cairns Taipans 93-92.

Despite the loss to the Taipans after a Lat Mayen three-pointer swished as the buzzer sounded on Thursday night, Illawarra has turned its season around, winning four of their past six matches.

But the Hawks are on a two-game losing streak and will be keen to bounce back against an Adelaide side full of confidence.

The 36ers have won three of their past four matches and will be aiming to come back to Adelaide with twin wins on the road after only winning one game out of 10 before Wednesday night’s 110-85 success against South East Melbourne Phoenix at the State Basketball Centre.

THE KEY
Gary Clark has been one of the recruits of the year this NBL24 season.

The Hawks power forward has been outstanding in his debut NBL campaign, averaging over 15 points and seven rebounds per game.

Clark was enormous for the Hawks in their one-point loss to the Taipans on Thursday night, scoring a game-high 36 points on 80 per cent shooting.

The 203cm power forward has been a perfect pairing with Hawks big man Sam Froling, and new coach Justin Tatum has made his starting frontcourt the offensive focus since taking over mid-season.

With Jacob Wiley missing due to injury, Kyrin Galloway will be the man given the task to curtail Clark, while Isaac Humphries will do battle with Froling.

Humphries starred against the Hawks last time, so expect Froling to come out firing, while the Hawks’ backcourt of Justin Robinson and Tyler Harvey have also found their groove recently.

THE SECRET
Kyle Adnam has returned to one of his former clubs for the remainder of the NBL24 season and he says he's happy to be back in Wollongong.

Adnam is going back to the future with the Illawarra Hawks. The NBL veteran has rejoined one of the clubs with which he played his formative years, and he’s keen to keep the side “rolling”.

The 30-year-old was announced as a nominated replacement player for the remainder of the NBL24 season and will suit up in place of injured fan favourite forward Dan Grida.

Adnam, who didn’t get any court time against the Taipans, made six appearances as a development player for the Hawks almost a decade ago, and he says he’s happy to return to his former home.

“To be back, it’s really exciting for me,” Adnam told The Illawarra Mercury.

“Obviously Gordie McLeod, Matty Flinn, (Mat) Campbell, ‘Sav’ (Glen Saville), all of the guys I was introduced to when I first came to the ‘Gong were so amazing.

“Coming back every year, whether it be a road trip or not, it’s always a place I like to mark with a little ‘x’ as ‘I’m definitely going to enjoy that trip’.

“I’m here to have a good time but also contribute to winning.”

Adnam has joined the club off the back of a stint in Romania with CSU Sibiu.

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DEPTH CHART
PG: Robinson / Johnson / Bayles
SG: Harvey / Adnam / Hickey
SF: Swaka Lo Buluk / Lee / Blanchfield
PF: Clark / Peatling
C: Froling / Olbrich / Yates

THE FINAL WORD
Adelaide will be buoyed after their tremendous win against the Phoenix in Melbourne on Wednesday night and come back to Wollongong looking to prove a point.

The 36ers took a lead into half time against the Hawks on New Year’s Eve only to be outplayed in the third quarter, and Adelaide will be primed not to let that happen again.

Galloway was a revelation after being brought into the starting line-up and how the Hawks defend the 203cm power forward will be interesting.

Illawarra will want to respond straight away after falling to Cairns on Thursday night and the 36ers must keep their momentum going as both sides strive for a top six berth.