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The Glasgow Rocks will take to the court this weekend after an outbreak of the suspected 'Swine Flu' in the camp, something which will have undoubtedly disturbed their preparations. Not only that, but the Rocks will face a double header this weekend against two powerhouse teams, and will need to be 100% if they stand any chance of bringing home 2 wins. It all begins Saturday night when the Rocks travel to Cheshire to play the in-form Jets.

Player- coach Sterling Davis says that his side are gradually recovering from the scare, and that he hopes the Rocks can improve on their last performance against the Jets, as Cheshire grabbed a 73-78 win at Kelvin Hall on Sunday 25th October in the first round of the BBL Cup.

Davis said: 'The guys are slowly recovering from last week. It seemed like it just rushed us all at once, but things are starting to take their course in recovery. Hopefully we can be better this weekend than in our last meeting with the Jets. They came out with a much higher intensity on both ends of the floor in our first meeting of the season, and I think Chez Marks and Shawn Myers are both playing well for them.'

In terms of home games, the sides are tied in the all time record with 14 wins each. The Jets come into the game after beating the Newcastle Eagles 64-61, to advance to the Semi Finals of the BBL Cup, and Head Coach Paul Smith expects the game on Saturday to be no different than the side's first meeting of the season: 'It was a very tough game a few weeks ago, and it will be the same again on Saturday' he said: 'Apart from the odd blip, we are showing improvement every week so we are confident. The Eagles were under strength last weekend, but it was still a good win.

In terms of the main threats that the Rocks pose to his side, Smith identified able backcourt duo Rob Yanders and Jessie Sapp, but stressed the need for his players to focus on the rest of the Rocks roster as well defensively. He added: '(Rob) Yanders and (Jessie) Sapp are an excellent backcourt, but they (the Rocks) have threats all over the court.'

The experts may predict a Jets victory, as they have the away head-to-head at 14-9, the all time series 29-23, and won the last encounter by five points. However, with the Rocks American contingent of Yanders, Sapp and Forward Mike Copeland and the fact that the sides are 14-14 in home court wins, the Rocks stand as good a chance as any in this one.

After what will surely be a gruelling encounter with the Jets, the Rocks will have to travel back home and prepare themselves for a mammoth contest against the Everton Tigers. Hopefully the Rocks will have time to recover and be ready for anything that the Tigers throw at them.

The Glasgow Rocks and Everton Tigers certainly had very different weekends last weekend. Whilst the Tigers appear to have found some form and consistency under Tony Garbelotto, with two impressive wins, the majority of the Rocks squad were too unwell to take to the court last weekend after a break out suspected Swine Flu amongst the players.

These two teams are evenly matched in the BBL, with the home, away and overall records being level, and the split of the last ten games being 50-50. Both have also had their ups and downs this campaign. Whilst they won the BBL Cup last year, the Tigers sit a modest seventh in the BBL Championship table, with four wins and four losses, whilst they wait to play their eagerly anticipated BBL Cup Quarter Final against the Sheffield Sharks on Friday 20th November. The Rocks recruited well in the summer, and similarly to Everton, have an equal win-loss record, having split the six games they have played evenly.

The Rocks managed to retain the services of Davis, talisman Rob Yanders, and Scottish International Gareth Murray, whilst making impressive additions from across the Atlantic, in the form of dynamic guard Jessie Sapp, and inside monster, 6'7'' Forward Mike Copeland.

What will be lingering in the back of the mind for those that have stayed on this year, is the twenty point defeat that the Rocks experienced at the hands of the Tigers in last year's BBL Playoff Quarter Final. Garbelotto, the man who masterminded that defeat and will be leading the Tigers into battle this Sunday, says he envisages a tough test north of the border: 'Playing against Sterling is always a pleasure for me. His team is always well prepared and their execution, especially in the half court, is as good as anyone in the league' he said: 'He has a few new players this season and I can only anticipate a really tough game in Glasgow. We were very fortunate last year to play well against them, so I am hoping that we can carry this form over. This is a must win for both teams.'

Be sure to come along and support the Rocks as they take on the Tigers at Kelvin Hall this Sunday the 15th November at 5:00pm.

Posted on 11 November, 2009