Mersey’s Schall faces up to Giants of the past with point to prove

Nathan Schall faced an exceedingly tough decision before the 2012-13 season began; the choice between clean sweep champions Newcastle Eagles or kitting up for the revival of his hometown team of Manchester Giants.

He chose the latter after a storming end to last year’s campaign where he donned the colours of Cheshire Jets, with stand out performances against Worcester Wolves and Eagles in the playoffs of ’11-’12.

The hopes Schall had of playing consistently decent minutes would never come to fruition, and after playing 13 league games, averaging 5.2 minutes per game, player and team parted ways.

The 6′ 7″ forward did not end up going that far away though, a short distance to this season’s “whipping boys”, Mersey Tigers.

Admittedly, in his six games since joining up, they haven’t won still, but in those six games he has already surpassed his total minutes at Manchester, as well as significantly improving every other statistic on game nights.

He became the second Mersey Tigers player to feature, albeit on the bench, in the latest BBL Team of the Week line-up after his impressive showings against Plymouth Raiders and Eagles (claiming double-doubles in both games); the only other Tiger to do that was Rudy Etilopy. No doubting Schall would have ended up in the starting five had he have been on the winning team; unfortunately after 31 unsuccessful attempts at being victorious this season in all competitions, he’s perhaps on the wrong side to make that dream reality.

However, tonight at Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park, he has a chance to set a few things straight, and could be the catalyst to break the spell that has haunted Mersey this season. Manchester Giants are coming to town, and Mersey, with Schall’s help, could also slow their march to the playoffs.

“I think naturally, when you play your previous club, there is always the drive to play well. I think there may be a point to prove there, but that isn’t something I think about or focus on; just wanting to show what I can do is motivation enough. I’m just going to play my game,” said Manchester-born Schall.

That game is something that has come on in leaps and bounds at Mersey, and has shown when giving younger, home grown talent, such as Schall, a chance: “I totally agree that up and coming players need minutes to be able to prove themselves. There’s only so much you can show when you’re getting less than ten minutes a game, and you can be effective, but you never really get into your stride.

“Take Jamell Anderson from Leicester Riders for example, he worked hard, Rob [Paternostro] gave him a shot, and look at him now.

Of course, not one man can win a game for a team, or at least not in this league, but Mersey Tigers are well aware they need their starting five, plus support from their bench to be on top form to stand a chance of securing that elusive W, and preparation is now in full flow: “Training this week has been progressive, it started slow on Monday but has quickly picked up steam, and there’s been clear were stepping our game up.”

Something of an added bonus has been Schall’s Team of the Week mention, and he knows it’s a welcome accolade in wanting to improve further, and Tigers’ fan will be hoping it has viral effect on the rest of the team: “I think in general the increase in intensity in training and on the floor has definitely increased morale, and the fact that I’m a high energy player will add to that. As far as my mention, I think I don’t know about the team but it has been a boost to me personally.”

Also factor in reports from Manchester Evening News of David Aliu having dislocated his thumb in training and David Watts and Devan Bailey also having suffered with bouts of illness, the bookmakers may have something of a faux pas on their hands as some are going out as big as 10/1 just for a Mersey win.

Yes, on previous knowledge and experience one could say it’s inevitable, but this Tigers team are having a second wind, and are determined not to get that record of 0-35 in all competitions.

Tonight could be really be a Good Friday to remember for the home side if everything comes together.

• Mersey Tigers face Manchester Giants at home, Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park, tonight, 29th March, 7:30pm tip-off.