Our BBL Players of the week – Week 23
Once again we bring you our players of the week from our beat writers who were at this weekend’s games. Where you see a matchup highlighted follow the link to their game report.
OleDJ attended Newcastle Eagles v Leicester Riders and Durham Wildcats v Newcastle Eagles
Paul Gause (Newcastle Eagles) – BBL fans have only had glimpses of the potential of Gause. The hugely talented point guard is now coming to terms with the BBL and its foibles and that can only mean good news for the Newcastle Eagles. Gause’s scintillating performances would have destroyed much more accomplished opponents than Riders or Wildcats. He racked up 50 points over the two games and chipped in with ten rebounds but that just scratches the surface of his electric displays, with the ebullient ex-Seton Hall man putting in his most productive weekend in a black and white vest.
Mario Flaherty (Durham Wildcats) – Flaherty is the heart and soul of this current Wildcats team. The big man they call Super Mario’s display of measured efficiency at both ends of the court was in stark contrast to Gause’s electrifying effort for his opponents. A game high 24 points and 11 rebounds gave him a double double that was a major factor in the Wildcats keeping the score respectable. Despite fouling out in the final period, he was the ‘go to’ guy for Durham prior to his departure.
Dave Bell attended Sheffield Sharks v Mersey Tigers
Mike Tuck (Sheffield Sharks) – Unjust to say it was the presence of his mum in the crowd but the big Canadian has excelled under the basket at both ends of the court since the departure of crowd favourite Justin Dobbins. Tuck isn’t your one dimensional forward either. The guy can shoot the big two, work inside, come up with a big rebound and is pretty tidy from the line as well. Currently crucial to the Sharks gameplan, maybe an early season love-in was what Tuck needed to fuel the kind of all-action ball that the team’s party boy is displaying right now.
Damian attended Worcester Wolves v Glasgow Rocks
Richie Gordon (Worcester Wolves) – Credit to Sterling Davis in this one for his hard work throughout the forty on the hardwood and his ability to make Wolves reassess their game plan with his play calling. There’s no contest for my player of the week though as Richie Gordon towered above the rest. 26 points and 14 rebounds was this week’s line for the former Catamount and his value during the game was far greater than that. He alone at times kept the Rocks in check as he added to the points against the home team’s name and his desire to get it done helped those around him find a way.
RobJeffries attended Cheshire Jets v Plymouth Raiders
Anthony Rowe (Plymouth Raiders) – This week it’s somewhat difficult to decide upon a player of the week. Both teams played well, Cheshire Jets really stepped it up, three players on double-doubles (Cole, Schneck and Williams), a great third quarter and a hell of a lot more belief on a home court. Raiders though just made it count in the last quarter, admittedly were outplayed as I say in the third, but did everything right otherwise. Anthony Rowe and Paul Williams seemed ever-present and Jeremy Bell was doing what Jeremy Bell does best – causing problems. However I think I will have to go with Rowe. Best shooting, got his rebounds and still put up 19 points. But it could’ve been one of many for sure.
And our indulgent extra shout out comes from Dave Bell this week who was impressed with the efforts of:
Sam Cricelli (Mersey Tigers) – Embarassingly the Merseysiders best player by a country mile against the Sharks. With Hesson hitting foul trouble relatively early on, Cricelli ran the show with good times inside and out. A typically astute Garbelotto signing, Cricelli must surely be destined for greater things, especially given the form of Tigers’ captain David Aliu, who clearly is struggling for fitness. The rest of the BBL will have one eye on Merseyside with 2012-13 in mind, in my esteemed eye!
