Wagstaff keen to continue momentum through FIBA break

On the back of a 94-89 win over Adelaide 36ers last Saturday, Perth Wildcats captain Jesse Wagstaff said the FIBA break is a good opportunity for the team to take some time out.

“It would have been nice to keep the momentum from the Adelaide game,” he said.

“It gives guys the chance to rest up and it’s a great opportunity for boys over in Kazakhstan and they always come back raring to go.

“So yeah, it’s not really rest time, we still practice, and practice take it out of you more than the game sometimes, we’ll work on some things, individual stuff, and be ready to go for the next game.”

Following Brady Manek’s 25-point game against Adelaide, Wagstaff said he was stoked to see Manek gaining confidence.

“I was super pumped for Brady, super happy for him,” he said.

“He’s had a tough stretch and I don’t think we’ve seen what Brady can do, we have as a team, but in terms of media, you haven’t seen it.

“He does all the right things at practice, I compete against him in the same position every day, he works hard, he’s a great bloke off the court, so just super happy to get the results and see the ball go through the hoop.”

Wagstaff said the team will be looking to keep the winning momentum going into the next game.

“In my book, I think momentum is just another way of playing the right way,” he said.

“Even if we had of lost in Adelaide, it still would have been a step in the right direction and playing the right way, playing with the energy and intensity that’s required.

“If we can work on some conditioning and keep that energy and intensity for longer periods of time, I think that will go a long way.”

Wagstaff said it’s hard not to get caught up with the brilliance of Bryce Cotton.

“It’s no secret that we play through Bryce a lot,” he said.

“He was shouldering a lot of the burden offensively, and playing alongside him, often I just get caught up and like to watch him, but you can’t do that!”

“Teams are too good, their defensive schemes are too good and they kind of lock in on BC, so it was nice to see an even load.

“Brady was hitting but so was Corey and other guys as well so, I don’t think we care who scores, as long as we come away with the win.”

Perth Wildcats take on SEM Phoenix at RAC Arena on Thursday 17 November, get tickets!