Top-tier senior basketball is set to grace the court at Sir Neville Howse Stadium for the first time in three decades as the Orange Eagles host their first home game this weekend.
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After beginning the season as a completely unknown factor in Basketball NSW's Spalding Waratah League, the Eagles have already made a big impact.
After claiming a strong victory over Dubbo Rams in the opening round and a six-point loss to grand finalists Wagga Heat on the road last weekend, the Eagles are flying - sitting pretty in fourth position on the ladder.
The Eagles will host the winless Canberra Gunner's Academy on Saturday night, and coach Jamahl Zegzula is looking to turn Sir Neville Howse Stadium into a fortress; or more accurately, an Eagles' nest.
"It's exciting to come out in front of the home crowd," he said.
The coach said he was pleased with the opening to the season despite the Eagles' incredibly short pre-season, only being given the go-ahead from Basketball NSW to launch the side in December, with the squad announced in January.
We're just going from week to week, we're not knowing the teams, don't know their players or their style.
- Coach Jamahl Zegzula on the pros and cons of the unknown
The side is still nailing down a starting five and different combinations of players on the court, but while Zegzula would have liked a few more weeks of preseason, the first two weeks have brought the side together better than training could have.
"It's been a good gauge," he said of the first two games.
"We played Wagga who were one of last year's grand finalists and to go down by six points was a really good way to know where we stand.
"We're just going from week to week, we're not knowing the teams, don't know their players or their style."
He said the unknown factor "goes in both ways" of being a negative and a positive, with the lack of knowledge of opposition teams a chance to focus purely on how the Eagles play their brand of basketball without external distractions.
However, there are drawbacks.
"We don't get too hung up on the opposition but by the same token we don't know if they have a player who can come out and hit 30 points, if we know that we can do things to contain that," Zegzula said.
"It's exciting but it's not exciting, if you know what I mean?"
Zegzula said the club was buzzing at the chance to play in front of a home crowd, with their first two games in Dubbo and Wagga Wagga not incredibly well-attended.
However, the plenty of people have expressed interest in the evening, and despite Saturday being election day a crowd is expected to build a home ground advantage.
"We've been away the last couple of games but [the crowd] does make a big difference," Zegzula said.
"From what I've heard there'll be a crowd down there, the last few games there haven't been many there but if we can get some support it'll make a big home ground advantage."
The game begins at 6.30pm on Court 1 at Sir Neville Howse Stadium. Entry is free.
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