Rocks @ Heat – BBL Championship preview

Sunday 21 October
Surrey Heat vs Glasgow Rocks

For the Surrey Heat, Sunday’s home fixture with the visiting Glasgow Rocks is an opportunity to continue their excellent start to the season that has seen them rise to third place in the league, while for the Glasgow Rocks, the trip to the Surrey Sports Centre is a chance to kick-start their season having only won once in the league following a difficult schedule.

Coach Creon Raftopoulos’ squad have impressed in the opening month of the season, beating both the Sheffield Sharks and Mersey Tigers twice, while also recording a hard fought 71-69 victory over the Worcester Wolves.

New guard, Chavis Holmes, has shown his versatility, doing it all on the floor with 18.4ppg, 5.6rpg, 3.6apg and 3spg, although the Superman-like Holmes does have his kryptonite: three point shooting (currently 1-of-10).

Another key component of the Heat’s early season good form has been forward-guard combo, Martelle McLemore who is playing at last years level, as he averages 18.6ppg along with 5.8rpg.

The visiting Rocks have experienced a tough start to the season with two out of three league fixtures coming against the Newcastle Eagles. Their only league victory came against the Durham Wildcats, 92-82.

Coach Sterling Davis’ team have recently received an Olympic shaped boost with the signing of Kieron Achara who debuted against the Manchester Giants in the BBL Cup, where he posted an impressive 18 points and 14 rebounds in a tight 88-85 victory.

At 68.2 points per contest, Surrey hold the leagues best defensive record but with the visiting Rocks shooting a league best 40.4% from beyond the arc, the Heat are going to find their defence spread and their record put to the test today.