Eagles aim to be too hot for the Scorchers
NEWCASTLE OUT FOR REVENGE AFTER ALL-STARS DEFEAT TO SURREY
NEWCASTLE Eagles will attempt to gain a measure of revenge for missing out on the season’s first silverware when they return to BBL action tomorrow night.
Surrey Scorchers knocked the Eagles out of the British Basketball All-Stars Championship last Sunday, and went on to lift the trophy at London’s Copper Box Arena.
And the Scorchers head to the Eagles’ home stronghold tomorrow, with the hosts having made a superb start to their Championship campaign.
The Esh Group Eagles are sitting on a 3-0 record at the top of the BBL as they prepare to welcome the Scorchers to Sport Central.
The Scorchers, who are coached by ex-Teesside Mohawks play-caller Creon Raftopoulos, certainly excelled in basketball’s first showpiece event.
Although they were surprise winners, they thoroughly deserved their victory on the day.
It was at the semi-final stage that they defeated the Eagles 34-24 in a fast and frenetic 12-minute game that saw them through to the final.
There they defeated reigning BBL champions Leicester Riders to take the unexpected but welcome glory.
Welcome because the Scorchers’ 1-4 record sees them only one place off the bottom of the league table, and that only because the team below them – the aforementioned Riders – have yet to enter domestic league competition due to their European adventures.
So although Surrey showed great form in the unique short format of the All-Stars Championship, their performances over the traditional 40-minute games have been less impressive, although they did win last time out at Manchester Giants.
With the likes of BBL veteran forward and team captain Tayo Ogendengbe, lightning-quick point guard Quincy Taylor, fast-rising British prospect Josh Steel and the MVP of Sunday’s event, power forward Jordan Williams, in their ranks they have enough talent to ruffle the Eagles’ feathers.
However, the home side are looking formidable on their own court so far in the early stages of the season.
An opening-night win against Cheshire Phoenix and then a superb all-round team performance to destroy BBL newcomers London City Royals 110-60 have laid down quite a marker of intent from this season’s Eagles.
Mercurial point guard Rahmon Fletcher has seamlessly slipped back in to the BBL and Newcastle, and is very much the heartbeat of the team, averaging an incredible 12 assists per game.
New power forward Victor Moses is also showing why the Eagles recruited him this season in his starting role.
The effect Moses has had on the Eagles roster has enabled veteran forward and Eagles captain Darius Defoe to revel in his new role off the bench, where his scoring prowess has ignited Newcastle’s firepower and seen him top-score in each of his team’s three rousing victories.
It promises to be another exciting clash at Sport Central tomorrow, with the usual tip-off time of 7.30pm.