Uncertainty surrounds immediate NBL1 schedule but Chargers coach not expecting season to be

Round 13 of the NBL1 was postponed – and round 14 is in grave doubt – but Chargers coach Anthony Stewart expects the league to find a way to complete the season. LATEST DETAILS >>

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UNCERTAINTY surrounds the back end of the NBL1 South season but Hobart coach Anthony Stewart expects to be fighting for a title with his red-hot outfit.

In conjunction with Basketball Victoria, the NBL1 postponed all round 13 games last weekend due to the latest Covid-19 outbreak in Victoria.

The Chargers were set to host Waverley last Friday night — the NBL1 website has now listed that match for August 20 — and are currently slated to welcome Ringwood at the end of this week.

That contest remains in serious doubt pending the outcome of Victoria’s snap five-day lockdown, which was put in place last Thursday.

Koen Sapwell on the move for the Hobart Chargers against Geelong Supercats. Picture: Linda Higginson

The Hobart board met with Stewart and women’s coach Mark Nash on Sunday evening to discuss several scenarios, but will have to wait until early this week before having confirmation on a restart of the remaining few rounds.

“It was just around different scenarios … it could all change on Tuesday,” Stewart said.

“I don’t think there is any talk of shutting down, it’s just the different scenarios with finals and it might be a tougher road for us being in Tassie.

“I think the reason they are trying to keep it on track is because of the national championships, where they bring all the NBL1 clubs together.

“A lot will depend on how quick Victoria get back to some sort of normality, which they have done pretty quickly in the past – it is all speculation at the moment.”

Of more pressing concern for Stewart is not losing the momentum his squad has built in the past month.

Hobart is on a five-game winning streak and completed a superb clean sweep of a gruelling three-match road swing to Melbourne a week ago — a trip that has now forced the playing group forced into isolation following the Tasmanian Health Department’s updated requirements for travellers who have been in Victoria since July 8.

“We are not allowed into schools until Thursday, basically we are locked down until Thursday,” Stewart said.

“If anything it is disruptive, we have won five games in a row, three-game road trip and you win every game, everyone is feeling pretty good and we were pretty pumped.

“Now you have to try and get that momentum again when we return.”

NBL1 South postpones round 13 matches due to Covid

HOBART’S hot NBL1 form will be put on hold for at least a week after Victoria’s snap lockdown forced the NBL1 South to postpone all its round 13 matches this weekend.

The Chargers, who are coming off a clean sweep of their torrid three game road swing last weekend, were scheduled to play Waverley at Kingborough Sports Centre Friday night.

North West Thunder was set to host the Falcons Saturday night.

However with Victoria plunged into a five day lockdown in an effort to stop the latest spread of Covid-19 and Tasmania’s isolation requirements to travellers, Basketball Victoria and the league had no option but to halt the schedule for the second time this season.

Both BV and NBL1 South hope to recommence action in Round 14, starting July 23, with plans to reschedule the postponed games to be confirmed in the coming days.

The Chargers are currently slated to host Ringwood Hawks next Friday.

Hot Hobart Chargers come home for run towards finals

LAST weekend’s clean sweep of a torrid three game road trip confirmed Hobart’s NBL1 title credentials for coach Anthony Stewart.

However as the Chargers enter the crunch period of the season there remains little room for error.

The Chargers pulled off a remarkable feat in defeating Nunawading, Albury-Wodonga and Knox within 40 hours to pay back the club’s decision to cram three matches into one trip in order to save costs and cut one interstate flight from its schedule.

It leaves the side in second on the ladder with an 11-4 record ahead of Friday night’s home showdown with Waverley.

Jono Mines and the Hobart Chargers are back in front of home fans Friday night against Waverley. Picture: Linda Higginson

The North West Thunder sit on top (11-3) but with the chasing Victorian pack all armed with games in hand and little separating the remaining top eight, Hobart can ill afford to take the foot off the gas.

“The weekend gave me a chance to see what these guys are really like and I am extremely confident and positive that we can go all the way,” Stewart said.

“Before the third game I said to the guys it would give me a true understanding of their character and they stepped up.

“To fall behind by a point with four minutes remaining after leading most of the match, they could have used the travel as an excuse but they dug deep and defeated a high, high calibre outfit.

“Would I do that [three game road swing] again? Not a chance. I wouldn’t put my players through that again but in saying that it was character building and it has really set us up for a run at the championship.

“To get what they did done on Sunday against Knox with those players tells me a lot about individuals.”

Anthony Stewart has no doubt his squad has the mettle to be an NBL1 title contender Picture: Linda Higginson

The Falcons head to Kingborough Sports Centre with a dangerous back court, which includes Adelaide 36ers guard Daniel Dillon and fellow NBL veteran and former Perth championship sharp shooter Dexter Kernich-Drew.

It sets the scene for a pulsating clash, with the Chargers rolling since the inclusion of Tad Dufelmeier and Jack Purchase.

“Right now, we are looking pretty good but you drop two games on the road and you can be out of the eight, that’s how close it is,” Stewart said.

“This is what you play for, the pointy end of the season.”

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