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Slowly but steadily, BC Prievidza are getting back on track. Five straight Tipos SBL wins, four of which come-from-behind victories, are a first reward for a newfound intensity and resilience.

Things need to get worse before they can get better. An old saying that proved true for new BC Head Coach Gareth Murray, as well. His reign in Prievidza began with a shocking 99-115 defeat at BKM Lučenec after only a couple of practices with his new team. Shocking in particular because BC had already been up by more than twenty points before a baffling collapse in the second half.

Maybe rock bottom was the place to be before understanding that only hard work and a collective effort would allow a turnaround. The following home game against league leaders Levice did not bring Murray’s first win but already showed marked improvement, in particular at the defensive end.

Since then, Murray’s Miners have won five league games in a row, two of them quality away wins at Blue Wings Nitra and Inter Bratislava. Prievidza allowed opponents only 77 points in these five contests, putting more emphasis on defensive intensity and not giving away easy baskets.

A varied tactical approach has seen various players sharing the offensive limelight: Versus Spisski Rytieri, center Hunter Dean was consistently fed in the paint en route to a dominating 29-point, 12-rebound performance. Blue Wings Nitra had no matchup for Keith Jordan, so he responded with an MVP-style outing of 37 points and ten boards. Against his former Inter teammates, Daishon Smith was an unstoppable three-level scorer and had himself a 33-point night.

Overall, three-point attempts have decreased while trips to the free throw line have been more frequent, a clear indication of getting away from depending on perimeter shot-making to obtain wins. Now, with tough games versus Spisski Rytieri, Levice and Handlova coming up, the Miners have to stick together and keep working. Only then the wind of change can turn into a perfect storm.

photo: Vladimír Králik