Josh Dean could spend at least two weeks on the sidelines after injuring his hamstring in the second quarter of Warrnambool Seahawks' game against the Whittlesea Pacers.
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Seahawks coach Tim Gainey said the point guard, who racked up 10 steals in Warrnambool's round three Big V Basketball win over the Bellarine Storm, was sorely missed in the second leg of his side's double-header on the weekend.
Warrnambool started well with an impressive 90-64 win over the Whittlesea Pacers on Saturday that was set up by an Aaron Harrison masterclass.
Harrison, in his fifth game for the club, finished with 31 points, 11 rebounds and six assists in a match-winning performance.
But both Harrison and Warrnambool struggled against Collingwood on Sunday as the All Stars ran out 101-68 winners.
"He had a fantastic game first up and I want to see that every time," Gainey said.
"But the ball just didn't bounce his way against Collingwood. And that happens to everyone - it just depends on how the basketball gods want you to play."
Gainey said although Warrnambool's Alex Gynes - who finished with 30 points and eight rebounds - effectively cancelled out Collingwood import Manuel Hendrix, there wasn't enough support provided for the former NBL and SEABL player.
"Collingwood were full of energy - up and down the court making shots," he said.
"They knocked them down and made more runs than we did. It's always good to split in away double-headers...but tired legs was no excuse for poor effort on Sunday."
Gainey said he would most likely rest Dean during this week's game against a winless La Trobe, giving him two weeks, including the Easter break, to recover.
He said City Energy's danger man would be Billy Hughes, a former SEABL guard who once trained with several NBL teams.
"Billy is probably one of the best shooters in the league," Gainey said.
"But he doesn't have much help, so they're struggling a bit after a big turnover of veteran players last year."
Meanwhile, the Warrnambool Mermaids went down to Whittlesea 58-73, playing without captain Amy Wormald and Jae Ledden.
Abbey Sutherland starred with 29 points, 14 rebounds and four assists.
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