"We’re ready to go. We had a tough loss in our first game at Sheffield, but I saw a lot of positives too. The team is really working together well and we’ll have a few more bodies on Sunday, which will help."
Davis is referring primarily to new signing Bilal Clarance, the Danish national team captain who joined the Rocks on Monday. The 6'5" sharp-shooter adds yet another outside weapon to the already lethal Rocks arsenal.
"He can definitely shoot, but he’s also tough enough to go inside, and I really like his defence," added Davis. "He's multi-dimensional and that gives us a lot of options."
Also new to the Rocks this year are Scots Dan Donnelly and Scott Russell who make the step up from Falkirk Fury. 6' 10" Andrew Sanders, from Edinburgh, has returned home after a stint in the Irish SuperLeague and Neil Fraser (St Mirren) will join the squad once fully recovered from minor knee surgery.
Returning Stars
While the centre circle at Braehead Arena will have a new look to reflect the team's new sponsors (SAMG and Verve), fans will be looking forward to seeing their favourites from last year’s BBL Playoff finalist squad back in the Rocks saltired vest.
The nucleus of that fearsome squad returns including Davis, Americans Rob Yanders and Maurice "Squeaky" Hampton, German Moritz Wohlers, Arbroath's Gareth Murray, and the Rocks’ veteran Londoner Julius Joseph.
General Manager Bruce Cook summed up the Rocks outlook for the new season.
"Sterling has put together a very strong squad, so we’re definitely ready on the court. If the '6th man' (the fans) turn up and fill the house, we can certainly do big things this year. This is where the fun begins."
It’s Showtime!
The "fun" is not just in the basketball competition, Cook notes:
"It’s really about the whole entertainment package we put together. I love talking to people after their first Rocks game. It’s always so much more than they expect."
While the competition is fierce, the Rocks also showcase the famous Rockettes dance squad who perform at every break – up to a dozen dance routines per night. There are also competitions for young and old, kids are invited onto the court at half-time to try a shot at the hoop, and the whole evening is produced and presented by Rock Radio’s on air DJ’s.
"You really have to see it to believe it," Cook added.
Posted on 28 September, 2007
