Geraldton Buccs guard Verle Williams previews this Saturday’s clash against Perry Lakes Hawks

The Geraldton Buccaneers will be looking to bounce back with a win at home this weekend against the Perry Lakes Hawks after a disappointing loss at Activewest Stadium at the hands of the East Perth Eagles.

The Buccs fell short against the Eagles last Saturday night in an unexpected loss at home, falling from fourth on the league ladder to seventh.

Off-season recruit Verle Williams starred last weekend for the Buccs with 20 points, four rebounds, and five assists. The former Darwin Saltie said things simply didn’t fall the way of the Buccaneers.

“It was a tough loss last weekend and I felt like we should’ve got the job done,” he said.

“But things just didn’t go our way in the last couple minutes of that fourth quarter.”

Williams said the home games he has been part of had been eye-opening, with the home crowd providing the Buccs with an edge on game day.

“The crowd has been loud, crazy and wild,” he said.

“They get me going and make me play harder. I will try and put (on) a show for them.

“The team has been great. They have welcomed me with open arms and helped me get on the same page as the core group.”

With another opportunity to secure a big win at home, the Buccaneers now have their sights on the Hawks, who sit one spot below them on the ladder in eighth.

Williams said the focus lay in the Buccs’ defensive responsibilities as they eyed off the Hawks.

“We focused on picking up our defensive intensity and having each other’s back on the defensive end,” WIlliams said.

“At the end of the day, if we play 40 minutes of the defence I know we can play, we can beat any team we want, and that starts this weekend in the game against Perry Lakes.”

Round four was the last time these two teams met, and it was the Buccs who got the win over the Hawks away from home.

Williams said he was keen to get the win at home and repay the fans after last week.

“As I come off the bench, my goal is to pick the energy up on the defensive end and just be that spark,” the star recruit said.

“I’m hungry to win after last weekend, and I know it’s rare to lose at Activewest Stadium, so we want to protect our home court.”

Tip-off is at 7pm on Saturday at Activewest Stadium.