The Basketball Diaries – Wednesday November 16

Raiders enter the fray:

Despite a great start to the season, the Plymouth Raiders have yet to have the chance to show their BBL Championship credentials. Still in both knockout tournaments Gavin Love’s men get their first taste of Championship action on Wednesday night when they matchup against the MK Lions at Plymouth Pavillions. The Raiders have suffered just one defeat in all competitions so far this term and that came on their home court against the Worcester Wolves. The pack kept Paul Williams relatively quiet to register an 85-96 win. Guard Jeremy Bell will make his home debut for Plymouth in what will be a tough encounter for him and his Raiders’ colleagues against Demarius Bolds (who put up 37 points against the Heat just over a week ago) & Co.

Gause to return:

Newcastle’s influential point-guard Paul Gause is expected to return to action for the Eagles this weekend. Gause sat out the last two games (MK Lions at home and Glasgow Rocks at home) which were both won by Flournoy’s men. The margin of victory was just three points when the Rocks visited Sport Central with Gause sidelined. The Eagles are looking to go 5-0 in the Championship away at Cheshire Jets this Sunday which would be a new club record for the north east outfit.

Paternostro talks Sharks:

Talking to Keith Firmin, Riders’ Coach Rob Paternostoro has given his take on the Sheffield Sharks poor start to the season. He said “It’s an organisation that’s used to winning a lot of games and if you dive deep into it, they’ve lost to Newcastle twice, Plymouth at the buzzer and lost away at Glasgow which is never easy, so I think their schedule has been pretty tough. Its a long season. I think that when you talk to coaches around the league, they’re (Sheffield) expected to be there when it’s all said and done”.

Talking of Riders:

Leicester Director Kevin Routledge says the Riders are confident they can do what it takes to keep Drew Sullivan at the club. The GB forward has been on a week to week contract since joining Leicester early this season. It’s an interesting scenario for a BBL club who are trying everything to keep one of the best players in the league on their books. Routledge said “We are feeling confident that we are going to get there. We have had about three people come forward who have offered various bits and pieces, but we have to get the whole package together. We need everything to get him nailed down. We have got someone providing a property, someone providing some money, and someone providing other stuff, so we are getting there.

Something else Leicester would be securing is the chance for UK basketball fans to see Sullivan week in week out as he would most likely take his talents abroad if a deal could not be reached.