MATCH PREVIEW: Rocks vs. Newcastle this Sunday 27th September
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Sunday 27 September 2009 (5.00pm tip-off, doors 4pm) Kelvin Hall
The cross-border rivalry resumes for this season as the Newcastle Eagles travel north to Kelvin Hall to take on the Scottish Rocks on Sunday evening. The biggest derby in British Basketball finished last season with the Eagles having the last laugh, as they beat the Glaswegians in April by 17 points on their home court.
After topping the table at Christmas, the Rocks fell to a seventh place finish after losing Blake Shelton, but the summer has seen player-coach Sterling Davis recruit some fine talent to the BBL's only Scottish franchise, including North Carolina graduate Mike Copeland, American Jessie Sapp and BBL standout guard Steve Parillon.
However the key, says Eagles player-coach Fabulous Flournoy, is that Davis has held on to former BBL All Star Rob Yanders and native big man Gareth Murray:
'We know our old friend Rob Yanders will always give us a hard ride, and Gareth Murray is always a difficult match up for us at the three spot due to his length. Sterling has given us a tough time in the past, but we are really looking forward to seeing what new college recruits Jessie Sapp and Mike Copeland are going to bring to the table.'
Davis hails his opposition's continuity as a key factor in their success:
'I think their nucleus is what drives them. They have been playing together for so long now that they are so far ahead of a team with a new group at this point in the season.'
Both coaches clearly anticipate a tight contest. Davis commented:
'I don't expect any different now, it has always been a tough contest when the Eagles come to town. They have been the team to beat in this league for the past couple of years so if we are able to come out of that game with a win that's a great start to a season.'
Flournoy added:
'It will be very tough, as the Rocks seem to have recruited very well this time round and its always a difficult first game up, one we actually lost last year.'
Posted on 23 September, 2009
