NBL1 North: Rockhampton Rockets’ finals game plan against Phoenix

The Rockhampton Rockets are gearing up for a tough test against the Sunshine Coast Phoenix in Saturday’s NBL1 North elimination final. Coach Neal Tweedy predicts what will decide the result.

The Rockhampton Rockets' experienced coach, Neal Tweedy. Photo: TM Productions

The “battle of the bigs” will decide the Rockhampton Rockets’ NBL1 North elimination final, according to coach Neal Tweedy.

The Rockets secured their place in the playoffs with a 102-94 home win against the Mackay Meteors last weekend.

They will now hit the road to take on the Sunshine Coast Phoenix in Saturday’s sudden-death showdown at Maroochydore Stadium.

The Rockets finished the regular season in sixth with a seven-seven record, while the Phoenix came in third with nine wins and five losses.

Rockhampton Rockets' MVP Jalen Graham in full flight in the team's win over the Mackay Meteors at Bravus Arena. Photo: TM Productions

Tweedy said it was exciting for his players, who had worked their way back after dropping their first two games.

“We’ve tried to improve every game throughout the season, and I think we’ve got better the longer we’ve been together,” Tweedy said.

“We’ve won four of our last five games so that’s giving us a lot of confidence going into the playoffs when it’s such an even competition.”

Tweedy said the Phoenix on their home court would be a tough proposition but he knows his team now is better than the one that lost in their Round 8 meeting.

The Rockhampton Rockets are into the NBL1 North playoffs. Photo: TM Productions

He said the Rockets would go into Saturday’s clash keen to continue their team-centric, unselfish style of basketball.

“Once you get to this level, it’s not about who’s your best player, it’s team basketball that wins at this stage of the season,” he said.

“We’re very much about team defence and team offence.

“We’ve just got to stop their momentum, especially in the first quarter, and from there, it’s game on,” he said.

The Rockhampton Rockets' experienced coach, Neal Tweedy. Photo: TM Productions

“Our front line is obviously important with Jalen Graham, Malok Majak, Jared Blanchard and Harrison Hornery.

“All our bigs are going to be crucial to dominating rebounds.

“They’ve got great size with Nelson Kahler, Elias Cato and Liam Switzer across their front line.

“It’s going to be a battle of the bigs and whoever wins the rebounding and the defensive end is going to win the game.”

Sunshine Coast big man Liam Switzer. Picture: Trent Schwarz

Tweedy did identify one area where he believes his team has the edge this weekend.

“I’m comfortable that our players have had experience in high-level games,” he said.

“Sunshine Coast hasn’t been to the playoffs in a long time. Even though they’ve been a great team this year, they probably lack a little bit of finals experience.

“We feel we’ve probably got the advantage there.”

Rockhampton Rockets' player Malcolm Bernard. Photo: TM Productions

Tweedy has made some key personnel and positional changes during the season, things that had been instrumental in the Rockets’ push to the playoffs.

He said Graham had been brilliant on both ends of the floor, his explosive style of play earning him the team’s MVP for the season.

The recruitment of Malcolm Bernard and Hornery had also added another dimension to the team, allowing Blanchard to become more of a perimeter player..

“Giving teams different looks at different times is important so we can change the momentum of games,” he said.

“Shuffling the line-up around and making the right fit at the right times is going to be important now we’re in the playoffs.”

Originally published as NBL1 North: Rockhampton Rockets’ finals game plan against Phoenix