The team’s focus is now on the National Basketball League of Canada playoffs.
The Storm opens the best-of-five semifinal series with the Windsor Express at Eastlink Arena on Sunday at 2 p.m. Game 2 is also in Summerside on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
“Overall, I think it’s going to be a really competitive series, and great for fans and the league,” said Storm head coach Joe Salerno.
Both teams finished the regular season on seven-game winning streaks. The Storm won the Atlantic Division with a 26-14 (won-lost) record, and the Express completed the 40-game regular season in second place of the Central Division at 22-18.
The Storm held a team meeting and brief film session, and will practise in the gym on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday of this week.
“Friday will probably be something light, film, chalk talk, etc.,” commented Salerno. “We have been on terror here where we have been playing so many games and only practising two to three times a week at most.
“For us, having five to six straight practices leading into the first playoff game isn’t what’s best for the guys. We will have four solid practices this week, as well as three to four film sessions, to try to be ready for Sunday.”
Injury update
When asked if centre Brandon Hassell will be returning to the lineup from injury for Game 1, Salerno said that is “to be determined.”
The Storm expects to hear on Tuesday the status of power forward Antonio Ballard, who recorded 16 double-doubles before he was sidelined with a hairline fracture in his foot in Montreal last month.
“He was having an X-Ray today (Monday) and then going back for a final appointment tomorrow (Tuesday). That is to see if the doctor feels he’s going to be able to go at all in the playoffs, whether it’s late first round, possible the finals if we get there or nothing at all,” explained Salerno. “Tomorrow is a pretty big day for us.”
Advance tickets for Games 1 and 2 are on sale at the Credit Union Place box office.
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