The Timbermen need to find a turning point pretty soon.
Nanaimo’s senior A Western Lacrosse Association squad is getting ready for a matchup this Sunday (June 15) against the Langley Thunder, the sort of opponent the T-men need to beat to work toward climbing into playoff contention.
“It’s getting tiresome saying that we’re young and inexperienced,” said Kaleb Toth, Timbermen coach, after his team’s most recent loss. “Guys, they’ve got to learn. If they want to start winning games, they’ve got to start playing smart lacrosse. We’re trying to teach them smart lacrosse and simple lacrosse.”
The coach is seeing problems with players’ decision-making on the floor. Rather than making the simple play, he said, guys are “trying to force stuff that they shouldn’t be forcing.”
At the defensive end of the floor, it comes down to fundamentals like communication.
“Everyone needs to know the system defensively, know where they need to help,” Toth said.
Nanaimo’s offensive game plan doesn’t need to be overly complicated, either. They know they have to spread the ball around and run the floor.
“We’ve got to rely on our transition up the floor and get those guys getting goals as well, and then we’ve got to get to the dirty areas in the middle of the floor and bury the dirty ones no one else wants,” said Paul Brebber, T-men forward. “We’ve got to work harder than anyone else … and get goals that way.”
GAME ON … The T-men and Thunder play Sunday (June 15) at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena. Tickets, $12 for adults, will be available at the door.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com