MENTAL toughness is needed from the Mandurah Magic if they are to overcome a long journey to Kalgoorlie and return home with a win this week, according to head coach Jason Kyle.
The Magic hit the road on Saturday, travelling more than 650 kilometres to take on the eighth-placed Goldfields Giants that night.
Travelling via train, the Magic arrive early Saturday afternoon before taking to the court against Goldfields at 7.30pm.
“Going on the train allows the players the chance to move around on the long trip so it doesn’t really affect them physically,” coach Kyle said.
“We arrive in the afternoon so the guys have a chance to stretch their legs or relax in the hotel if they want as well.
“It’s really up to them if it’s going to impact the match – if we all go in with a good attitude we have a chance to come away with the win.”
Coach Kyle said the side was looking to redeem themselves after a second-half collapse saw them lose to Goldfields in round four.
“We were really disappointed against these guys last time – we controlled the first half and then let it go a bit,” he said.
“If we’re going to get a win this time around, we need to bring more discipline and a bit more energy to the match.”
The Magic broke a five-game losing streak last Friday night when they toppled Perry Lakes, but then suffered a sour defeat to Rockingham.
They are currently in the midst of a challenging stretch against top-eight sides, but coach Kyle is making no excuses for his side.
“We’ve played some great basketball throughout a tough patch of games, but if we closed out those games we would have some more wins,” he said.
“Saying that, the guys are really growing as a unit and I think their focused on the task at hand.”
With a win, the Magic can push themselves out of 13th place and reach as high as 11th.
