Leicester Riders take on the Champion Newcastle Eagles looking for win 21
The truth is, with only a handful of games remaining and with both the Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders and Newcastle Eagles’ invites to the play-off party already in the post, you could be forgiven for thinking that Wednesday nights meeting at the John Sandford Sports Centre could be a star-less affair as both teams try to rest starters before the post-season begins.
Not so for Coach Paternostro’s Riders.
The Riders coach is currently chasing the franchise win record – set by himself in 2008/9 and again in 09/10 – which currently stands at 21, so don’t expect anything less than the normal level of commitment from his team. A win over Newcastle on Wednesday would equal that record and a victory over Guildford on Saturday would assure this current Leicester Riders team of a place in history with the franchise all-time winning record.
A place in history is perhaps a just reward for the consistently high level of play and hard work that this roster has displayed and a perfect reflection on the superb job the coaches have done.
Coach Paternostro stated that he will have a full team to select from for the game, although it’s to be expected that with Royster and Lamble recovering from their respective ankle and shoulder injuries, they may see reduced minutes.
Expect to see plenty of former Eagle, Andrew Sullivan, who has been in excellent form in the month of April: upping his averages in three major statistical categories from 13.2ppg to 17.6ppg (+4.4), 7.5rpg to 8.2rpg (+0.7) and 2.7apg to 4apg (+1.3) whilst maintaining his presence on the defensive end.
Ukamericansportsfans.com’s very own @OleDJ discussed the Eagles roster for the fixture, saying:
“It’s a game that you’d expect the visitors to look to their bench for extra minutes but there are slim pickings there. Ross Wilson is out for the season, leaving just Lamar Morrison and Joel Madourie, neither of whom are really up to playing at this level yet. Eagles Under 18 star Jack Wilson was called up to the big club on Friday.”
He added that the resting of Andrew Thomson (announced by Eagles owner, Paul Blake earlier today) was inevitable as Thomson was in need of some time away from the court.
Paul Blake also stated that neither Joe Chapman nor Charles Smith would be making the trip down south. Team Northumbria’s captain, Siman Stewart, has been called up.
Tip-off tonight is at 7:30PM and there are still a limited number of tickets available on the door at the John Sandford Sports Centre.