We can do better, says Cameron

BY SAM WORTHINGTON

Coaches aren't often satisfied and Saints mentor Pero Cameron certainly isn't resting on his laurels despite banking his first career W in Christchurch on Thursday night.

The Saints moved to 2-0 with the comfortable 85-72 defeat of the Cougars in Cameron's first game in charge since wrapping up his commitments on the Gold Coast.

Cameron didn't take the court and while pleased to notch the first mark on his coaching belt, warned the Saints would need to shift another gear against the Giants in Nelson tonight.

"Anytime you get a win away is a good result," Cameron said.

"But we can do a lot of things better. As a team it didn't feel like we played great."

Despite out-rebounding the Cougars 50-38, the Saints need to crash the boards with increased urgency against a Nelson lineup that includes Mika Vukona, Tony Rampton and Michael Harrison.

Saints big men, Nick Horvath and Casey Frank, will need to hold their ground, while Nelson guards Phill Jones and Mike Fitchett will shoot the lights out if allowed time and space.

"Our rebounding and boxing out is an issue, especially when we go up against some of the more attacking teams, in terms of offence and going at the boards.

"We've got Mika Vukona and Tony Rampton coming up, and they're easily two of the top-five offensive rebounders in New Zealand.

"Mika was one of the top-three offensive rebounders in Australia, so we're up against a quality side. It will be a big challenge for our players."

Nelson, in front of their noisy Trafalgar Centre fans, are by far the biggest test of the season so far despite the 1-1 Giants making a scratchy start to the season.

"It's an away trip, the second game in three days and it's going to be tough."

Import Darryl Hudson had a field day in Christchurch, scoring a game-high 33 points in the absence of injured point guard Lindsay Tait.

Tait's sprained ankle will keep him off the court again tonight and Cameron was happy with Hudson running the show with backup from George Le'afa.

"[Hudson] played pretty good at the point, he handled it. You want to take care of the ball and you want to run offence."

Cameron said ideally the Saints would share their scoring but he wouldn't ask Hudson to cool his hot hand.

"You're always looking for balanced scoring. But if someone steps up and it's happening for them, you've got to go to the hot streak," Cameron said.

The Wellington Saints' second import, forward Erron Maxey, made a quiet debut against Canterbury, scoring three points to go with seven rebounds and four assists in 21 minutes on court.

HOW THEY LINE UP

What: NBL

Where: Trafalgar Centre, Nelson

When: 7pm tonight

Nelson: Mike Fitchett, Phill Jones, Mika Vukona, Michael Harrison, Tony Rampton, Josh Bloxham, Samuel Dempster, Bronson Beri, Nico Ritschny, Ben Wright

Wellington: Darryl Hudson, Troy McLean, Leon Henry, Casey Frank, Nick Horvarth, Erron Maxey, Damien Ekenasio, Ross Taurima, George Le'afa, Randall Bishop.

- © Fairfax NZ News