As his side prepare for Saturday's BBL Championship game against Durham Wildcats Surrey Heat coach Creon Raftopoulos knows they face a tough test if they are to carry their good start to the season into 2013.
The Heat opened the New Year with a home victory against London Lions which consolidated their third place in the BBL Championship, but Raftopoulos knows it will be tough to maintain their form:
"We're sitting in a good position in the league even though behind the scenes it's been tough keeping a full squad of players healthy and fit" said the 38-year-old who is in his third year as Heat coach.
"We dealt with the big loss of Martelle [McLemore] in November with a couple of wins before integrating Travis Holmes into the team. Peter Simek then went down which took away some rebounding and size presence in the paint. With McLemore due to be cleared to play we now have to get him back up to speed and into the flow of the team.
"I feel if we can stay fully fit and healthy and the weight of a having a thin squad going into the latter parts of the season does not hurt us we could hold on to a top four finish or better.
"I expect Worcester Wolves to get stronger and pick up wins with the squad Paul has put together Sherrad Prezzie-Blue and Kai Williams are both game change players. Then the talented squad Gavin Love at Plymouth has will also make a push to challenge at the top so we know we have our work cut out for us to maintain our position."
Tip-off for the game against Wildcats at Surrey Sports Park on Saturday is 7pm, and the Heat are also in action on Sunday when they make the short journey to Reading to face the Division One leading Rockets.
Leicester Riders took another step to rebuilding their championship winning team, by announcing the return of guard Jorge Calvo(190-G-87).
The 25 year old point guard, born in Ponferrada, Spain, was a huge hit with the Rider's fans last season, with his tenacious defence and in ability to run the offence, but also for his hugely engaging manner off the court. He was the first Spaniard to win a BBL Championship [read more]
Leicester Riders took another step to rebuilding their championship winning team, by announcing the return of guard Jorge Calvo (190-G-87).
The 25 year old point guard, born in Ponferrada, Spain, was a huge hit with the Rider's fans last season, with his tenacious defence and in ability to run the offence, but also for his hugely engaging manner off the court. He was the first Spaniard to win a BBL Championship.
Calvo was very keen to return to the Jelson Homes DMU backed Riders, "From very early on with the Riders, as I came to understand the great mix of players we had, I was really keen to make Leicester more than a one year stop. I believe this is a team that can get better, and I can get better with the team."
"Playing in the BBL is a different challenge to Spain, but I think it is helping to develop my game. I will be looking to do things a little different, add some things to what I bring to the Riders, but it is really working with my team-mates and coaches that will help make the difference."
"I was also excited to see that Drew Sullivan had re-signed, because he is such an important player in our team. He and Rob (Paternostro) our coach are what make the big difference to the team, so that just reinforced my keenness to come back."
Calvo thinks Riders will have it much tougher in the BBL next season, but is looking forward to the challenge, "For sure, teams are going to be gunning for Leicester, and it will be difficult. We set a standard this season, and other teams will be out to put one over on us. But I think the Riders can get better, and particularly if we can keep most of the squad together."
Paternostro was very excited to have Calvo back, "Jorge is hugely under-rated in my opinion. He handles himself extremely well, is a very smart player, and is very much a team guy. There are a lot of decisions to make in his position on the court, particularly in terms of getting other guys involved in the offence, and that is where Jorge excels."
BBL Birmingham has today announced the name of the new professional basketball team representing the city. Saturday nights will never be the same again...... welcoming your Birmingham Knights!
Jo Aldridge, Team Director, said "We decided to run a competition to let the fans name the team and this was a standout winner with the panel. We plan to take the team live in September and are very excited about working with a number of partners to help to bring the brand to life [read more]
BBL Birmingham has today announced the name of the new professional basketball team representing the city. Saturday nights will never be the same again...... welcoming your Birmingham Knights!
Jo Aldridge, Team Director, said "We decided to run a competition to let the fans name the team and this was a standout winner with the panel. We plan to take the team live in September and are very excited about working with a number of partners to help to bring the brand to life."
The Team's management has also been busy building a number of important partnerships within the city. Today they announce the Birmingham A's Basketball Club as the team's "Official Nursery Team" and the City of Birmingham basketball club as their "Official Junior Development Partner". Coach Paul Douglas said "Ensuring an effective player pathway in the city is really important to us. We want to create a team that local young players aspire to and a simple route by which they work their way up to playing professionally. We're confident that these important relationships will help us to achieve this and we're pleased to see the sport of basketball uniting in the city."
Coach Douglas starts his campaign with trials being held at the Doug Ellis Sports Centre on the 18th and 19th May. If you would like to know more about how to take part email info@bblbirmingham.co.uk.
NIJT London: Team England roll over OKK Spars Sarajevo in Day 3 - May 11, 2013
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Team England - OKK Spars Sarajevo 78:61
Team England roll over OKK Spars Sarajevo in Day 3 of the Nike International Junior tournament in London. The hosts of the tournament posted their initial 78:61 win and finished second in Group B. OKK Spars Sarajevo also ended up with 1-2 record in the group, but finished last.
OKK Spars Sarajevo started the game better and took 23-19 after the first period. Moreover they added 21-18 rally in the second frame and led 44:37 at the halftime [read more]
Team England - OKK Spars Sarajevo 78:61
Team England roll over OKK Spars Sarajevo in Day 3 of the Nike International Junior tournament in London. The hosts of the tournament posted their initial 78:61 win and finished second in Group B. OKK Spars Sarajevo also ended up with 1-2 record in the group, but finished last. OKK Spars Sarajevo started the game better and took 23-19 after the first period. Moreover they added 21-18 rally in the second frame and led 44:37 at the halftime. The second half however was dominated only by one team, London. The latter posted 21-12 surge in the third quarter and finished the game with massive 20-5 burst. Luke Nelson (189-G-95) top-scored for the winners with 20 points and Jules DANG AKODO added 17. KAVELL BIGBY delivered 14, whilst Tyrell Isaacs (183-PG-95) had 8. Four players only scored for the Bosnian team. Aleksej Nikolic (185-G-95) poured in 25 points and Djoko Salic (209-C-95) added 20. Faris Smajlovic (199-F/C-96) brought 10, while Nedim Buza (201-SF-95) notched 6.
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