The Wagga Heat coach has overseen a mid-season resurgence from his young charges but knows a slip-up against the bottom-placed Scorchers could prove costly this weekend.

“It’s a must-win for us,” Reed said.

“We know it’s a long way away but it’s our turn to play away and we know they play a quality basketball game.

“They’ll be a team to be reckoned with, I think.”

The fourth-placed Heat are coming off a bye week after dominating arch-rivals Shoalhaven 88-73 earlier this month and returned to training on Wednesday with a renewed focus on finals.

The break was the latest of many interruptions in a bye-riddled season but Reed values the extra breathing room.

“We just have to adjust to the momentum we may or may not have before the bye,” he said.

“It’s about managing what we do during that off week and that’s depends on the previous game.

“For example, we’ve come into the bye after a pretty bruising game against Shoalhaven and now our bodies have recovered and our minds are refreshed.” 

Wednesday night’s training session proved fruitful for Reed’s men and the Heat are on track to notch their fifth win in six outings.

“We’ll be as prepared as we can be,” Reed said.

“I think the team’s on a continual improvement curve ... and this weekend is an opportunity for us to sort out any kinks and refine our game before to get towards the back end of the year.

“We want to keep seeing that week-to-week improvement throughout the season.”

Wagga would do well to maintain their current vein of form with hometown showdowns against top three sides Sutherland, Bankstown and Lithgow scheduled in the next two months.

The Heat suffered away losses to the Sharks, Bruins and Lazers earlier in the regular season but Reed is welcoming the challenge ahead.

“We’re really looking forwards to this run of games coming up,” he said.

“We’ve travelled a fair bit out to play those top three teams and the travel aspect is tough, so now it’s their turn to come to us.

“It’s not a short trip to Wagga and I think a lot will hinge on the availability of their players, though I’m sure they’ll be keen to maintain their high position on the ladder.”

Reed voiced his desire to take out the competition but is taking a measured approach to the campaign

“You don’t win championships in the middle of the season,” he said.

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