| Glasgow Rocks | 86 |
| Guildford Heat | 75 |
Both teams are still chasing a place in the top four – and home court advantage in the play-off quarter-finals – as the season enters its final couple of months. Jets go into the game level with Everton Tigers with a 12-10 record, while Rocks are fourth in the table with a 13 wins from 21 games.
It will be the second BBL Championship meeting of the season between the teams, and if it’s as exciting as the first, the fans are in for a treat. Hosts Jets won that one 88-83, but only after a period of overtime.
Rocks were 64-43 ahead going into the fourth quarter, but Cheshire opened the period with a 23-7 run to slice the visitors' lead to just seven points. They went on to outscore the visitors 31-10, and drew level at 74 with 14 seconds remaining.
Neither team could add to the score, sending the game into overtime. Although Mike Copeland opened the scoring for Rocks in OT, three-pointers from Paul Peterson and Colin O’Reilly proved key as Jets ran out winners.
Paul Smith, the Jets coach, is ready for another tough game when the Rocks visit Northgate: “They are a very good team, with a good combination of youth and experience. They play with a lot of energy at both ends of the floor.
“They have one of the best backcourts in the league. It is unusual to see both starting guards so high up in the stats for scoring and assists. I think that says a lot about what a great combination they are.”
Jets had mixed fortunes last weekend, losing to Plymouth Raiders before hammering London Capital the following day. Understandably, Smith had mixed emotions about the games: “We started well [against Plymouth] but failed to match their intensity for most of the game. We got what we deserved and so did they. Jerrah [Young] and Chez [Marks] were the only guys that really turned up for that game. They are our more consistent performers at the moment.
“Against London, we played well and did a professional job. Caps were a little short handed and played us hard all the way but we stay focused and put in a good performance over the full 40 minutes. It was a good team performance to be fair but Chez brought his shooting boots again and carried on where he left off the night before.”
Rocks player-coach Sterling Davis expects a difficult game in Cheshire: “I think they are a very dangerous team. We have yet to beat them this season so that in itself speaks volume.”
The Glasgow play-caller sees one of Jets’ veterans as the key to their success: “I think James Hamilton drives them. His veteran leadership really is the glue for them.”
Posted on 17 February, 2010
