One Health Sharks Sheffield forward Andrew Bridge (193-F-79) heads into Saturday's BBL Trophy final looking to collect both a record 19th winners' medal & a record 6th BBL Trophy winners' medal and he can't wait for the big game.
"It's great to be in a final for Sharks, I think it's the competition they've had the least success in, so first and foremost it's good to be in the title game after a tough start to the year. Obviously we're looking to win the game as we haven't been successful yet against the Riders this season, but we played them better last time. We stopped playing after 28 or 29 minutes which as frustrating and disappointing, but we simply have to make our shots for it to be a competitive game. That's how simple it is, make shots and we'll play with them if don't it'll be like the other times they've beaten us."
Bridge admits that has to pinch himself when he thinks about how many trophies he's won: "It's a bit insane from where I started to 18 winner's medals. There's a lot better players who have played in this league than me, but whatever people stay about the standard in different eras, you still have to win. I'm not as good as many of the players I've played with or against, but I have found a way to win and that's as important as as getting 20 points and ten points each night. In all of the teams I've been on I've had to make sacrifices to help make us a winning team. Whatever happens on Saturday, I can look back at my career and say I've helped make a winning team, and be happy with that."
Bridge has generally been on the side who are expected to win the finals he's played in, but he's not worried about the underdog tag: "it's not weird I, feel like every game we have a chance to win because we're better getting each week. It's not a surprise that we're the underdog, Riders have been good all year and if we reached the final the chances were we'd be playing a team higher up the league. We'll go in thinking we'll win. We can't approach it any other way. Any sports-person should approach a game looking to win it."
Bridge was delighted with the 102-74 hammering of Cheshire Phoenix which wrapped up their place in the final last week: "It probably went as well as it could have gone for us. We had a bit of good fortune with Marks and Gumbs out for them, but we came out as focussed as we have all year. We did what we needed to do, and that's pleasing. It's probably the most complete two-leg game that I've played in as far as my team doing what they needed to do. I didn't need to play much, which from point of view is good."
A defeat at London Lions on Sunday proved to be a dampener for both the Sharks and Bridge himself who was playing his 400th BBL Championship game: "I think we thought we are a little better than we are" admitted the 34-year-old.
"We'd just made a final and we let them play their kind of basketball in the first half. They took advantage and although we turned it into our kind of game in the second half we'd given ourselves too much to do. Maybe two games over the weekend and the long trip were too much for us."
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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