Glasgow Rocks Official Website

STERLING OR FAB: Rocks Derby is On-Court Battle of Bosses [return]

Sterling Davis of the SAMG Verve Scottish Rocks has been battling on the hardwood with player/coach Fabulous Flournoy of the Newcastle Eagles for years now. The competition takes a new twist on Wednesday night (7:30pm, Braehead Arena) as Davis has also taken on the "Player/Coach" title for the Rocks' 2007/08 BBL campaign.

Davis and the Rocks also faced a player/coach last week in T.J. Walker of the Cheshire Jets, a battle of rookie coaches won decisively by the more experienced Rocks. Wednesday’s contest is something different.

The Braehead faithful will see something unique on Wednesday night as Davis and Flournoy will match wits from the sideline as coaches and then take to the court where they will attempt to better each other with their brawn as well as their brains. The two are likely to guard each other more often than not.

Flournoy has a collection of both personal and team silverware and has become a familiar face around Newcastle as part of a prominent Northern Rock advertising campaign. Sterling would like some silver too, but he knows it will only come from a winning team and he seems more focused on the game than any personal competition with Flournoy.

"This is a big game coming up for us as a team because it will give us further indication as to where we are right now."

The Rocks boss anticipates a battle…

"Newcastle always gives us a tough contest and we don’t expect anything less this time. They have put together what seems to be another very competitive team which we will have to match. This game has developed into somewhat of a northern rivalry so it should be very interesting."

The Rocks and Eagles last played in the BBL Playoff Championship game in April. After knocking off League champions Guildford Heat in the semi-finals, Davis and the Rocks had the painful experience of watching Flournoy and the Eagles lift the champions’ trophy.

Most of that Rocks squad is back due to the leadership and persuasive skills of their teammate Davis. Now a head coach himself, Davis knows what Flournoy will be focused on.

"Fab has had quite a bit of success as a player/coach and I’m sure he is only thinking about getting a win and improving his team’s record. At least that’s what I’ll be thinking about."

The Rocks and Eagles both currently sit in the middle of the BBL table, each with one win and one loss. The winner of Wednesday's game will move up to 4th place in the young BBL Championship season.

Posted on 08 October, 2007