After losing in last year's BBL Trophy final, Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders' centre Anthony Rowe (203-F-85, college: N.Georgia) is looking to finally even things up when his side face One Health Sharks Sheffield in Saturday's final.
The big man joined from UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders early in the season having lost in the both the BBL Cup and Trophy final with the West Country outfit, and having already won the Cup with Riders, Rowe can know firmly lay last season's ghosts to rest:
"For me it's great getting to another final, and I hope I can even things up after last year" he said. "It's something I've longed for. I've always wanted to be on a team that would compete in finals and be up there in the league. I did it last year with a different team, but now I'm with Riders, it feels right. We're a winning team, we deserve to be here and we're determined to take home another trophy."
Despite four Riders' victories in games between the two sides this year, Rowe isn't taking Sharks lightly: "We've played them four times and we've won pretty comfortably each time. It's one of those things where if we come in too complacent we could be the victim of an upset. We have to maintain focus and concentration, it's a cup final there's no tomorrow.
"They have some big time players and scorers if they're feeling extra good. You know it will really matter to them because it could make their season, and maybe they should be higher than eighth.
"No one guy has stood out for them against us, although BJ Holmes has had some good games since coming it. They're good down low with Demetrius Williams and Mike Tuck. Mike's been to finals and won, he won't be afraid to take the big shot."
The Riders faced two tough semi-finals against Worcester Wolves to reach Saturday's final, with Rowe and his team winning by seven points on aggregate and he admitted that the Wolves had been difficult opponents: "They were two really tough games. We had the game down in Worcester first and they're a big physical team. It was a real battle - there's no other way of putting it - and we were down for a spell but we kept fighting and took a nine point lead into the second leg.
"They gave us confidence, knowing we could beat them, but it was clearly desperation stakes for them and they came out all guns blazing. We had a ten point lead early in the game, but they kept coming back and they're such a good three point shooting team it's tough to put a game away.
"They closed the gap to four points at half-time and they did really well to beat us on the night."
Rowe admitted he had mixed feeling about losing the second leg: "We don't ever want to lose, but we had to play to the aggregate score in the final two minutes. If we'd gone for the win on the night, we'd have given them more time to get back into the tie. We needed to be smart and not let our price get in the way. It's unfortunate we lost, and our winning streak is over, but we're playing in a final on Saturday."
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
POSTED BY:
EUROBASKET NEWS
follow us on
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.
Copyright (c) 1998-2013 Eurobasket Inc. Disclaimer
WARNING:
Do not copy, redistribute, publish or otherwise exploit information that you download from the site !
Do not encumber, license, modify, publish, sell, transfer or transmit, or in any way exploit, any of the
content of the site, nor will you attempt to do so.
