South West Slammers men’s coach Jason Chalk retaining faith in import Calvin Whipple despite slow start

South West Slammers men’s coach Jason Chalk is retaining his faith in Calvin Whipple despite the import making a slow start to life with the club. The American is averaging just over 12 points per game across his first nine appearances in Slammers colours — a figure which accounts for a 34-point explosion against Lakeside Lightning earlier this month while also including the five games in which he has not reached a double-digit points tally. Coming into his first season with the club with a reputation as a sharpshooter, Whipple gave an insight into his ability when he drilled 10 of his 15 three-pointers against the Lightning. But, he has made only 11 of his 53 long shots in his other games. Whipple played just under 24 minutes across the team’s losses to Rockingham Flames and Eastern Suns last week — including only one five-minute run in the second game. Chalk said that was because he did not want the wing to aggravate a minor knee injury. “He knows that he needs to produce more, we’ve had that conversation, but we’re going to stick with him,” Chalk said. “His shooting’s not there at the moment, he knows that, but a lot of little things that he’s doing, he’s doing exactly what we’re asking. His defence is pretty good. “He’s shown glimpses. It might’ve only been one game against Lakeside, but it was a pretty special game . . . I have no doubt he can be a 20-point per game scorer in this competition. “We’ll see how his injury is and move forward from there.” Despite his side starting the season with nine consecutive losses, Chalk said he remained confident they were on the right track and his messages were getting through to his players. But he was savage in his assessment of their 25-point loss to the eighth-placed Suns on Saturday, saying the performance was “completely unacceptable in every way, shape or form.” “Our defence was not up to the task. The Suns average around 76 points per game and we allowed them to score 106,” Chalk said. “The players didn’t follow the game plan like they were supposed to. “The intensity was nowhere near where we’ve been building for the last three or four games. “To have a winnable game end up like that purely by our lack of effort, lack of intensity and lack of discipline is pretty disappointing.” The Slammers’ search for their first win of the season will continue when they head to Morley Sport and Recreation Centre to take on East Perth Eagles on Friday. The club’s women’s side, who will be looking to back up a strong weekend which saw them fall just short against Rockingham before grabbing their second win of the season over the Suns, will play at 6.30pm before the men’s game starts at 8.30pm. A Slammers side will also take on the Perth Wildcats WA Academy team at Eaton Recreation Centre in an exhibition game on Saturday, which tips off at 5pm.