Glasgow Rocks Official Website

The Glasgow Rocks and Guildford Heat go head-to- head on Sunday evening in a mouth watering BBL Championship encounter, and Rocks' player-coach Sterling Davis believes that in his side's 83-65 demolition of PAWS London Capital, he saw some encouraging improvements: 'I saw an improvement defensively in our squad from the previous weekend' he said: 'We really made defensive principles our focus last week and I think that repetition paid off for us in the game. That result was very important for us. London will surprise some teams this season because they play so hard. If you cannot match their intensity it could be a long game for you. I think we came out and played the game as if it were a finals game, and if you approach every game like that you have a good chance.'

Whilst these two teams have different off-seasons and starts to the 2009/10 season, with the Heat in fourth whilst the Rocks are in seventh place in the league table, both have retained some BBL experience and know-how on their rosters, as Guildford have held on to Mike Martin and Daniel Sandell, as well as acquiring former Rock Julius Joseph, and promoting Chad McKnight to the player- coach role. The Rocks have kept former BBL All Star Rob Yanders, Scotsman Gareth Murray, as well as adding former Sheffield Sharks and Brighton Bears Forward Steve Parillon. Yanders, who featured in this week's Team of the Week and has been one of the standout players in this league for some time, was the main name that concerned Chad McKnight. He said: 'After facing Everton, we go to Scotland to face the Rocks, and they have strong guards. Rob Yanders is a good veteran point guard who sees the floor well and can score, so we will have our hands full all weekend.'

Davis feels meanwhile, that his side must be more consistent in their output if they are to achieve anything this season. He added: 'Playing at a consistent level throughout the course of the game. Basketball is a game of waves but the teams who can stay on top of the waves the longest will be the most successful.'

On the Guildford Heat, the naturalised American added: 'Guildford are playing really good basketball right now as indicative of their record. I think they have a balance of new players and veteran leaders in the likes of Julius Joseph and Mike Martin. Chad McKnight is doing a great job in his first season.'

Posted on 04 November, 2009