March 10, 2010 at 5:13 am · Filed under Brits Abroad
By Chris Scruton
Performer of the week – Andrew Sullivan
Kieran Achara – Angelico BI (Italy Serie A)
Angelico scored an important win at weekend as they defeated Lottomatica 85-80. Kieran played just 10 minutes scoring 4 points. Angelico are on a 9-11 record and 11th in the table.
Robert Archibald – Malaga (Spain ACB)
Malaga had their worse week of the season last week as they were humble in the ACB, and dumped out of Euroleague. Last Wednesday in a must win game against CSKA Moscow they were defeated 76-70. Robert had one of his worst games this season finishing on just 3 points, and 3 rebounds in 16 minutes. the defeat put an end to their Euroleague dreams for this season, but with 1 game to play, Robert & his team mates will be looking to end on a high note. The following weekend saw Malaga entertain Bilbao in what should have been a routine victory. This was not the case and nort for the first time this season Malaga were humbled. Robert did restore some pride to himself as he top scored for his team with14 points off 9-14 shooting & 7 boards. Malaga now 6th on a 12-12 record.
Andrew Betts – Aris ( Greece )
Aris recorded an impressive victory at weekend over Panionios. Finishing 95-78, Betts scored 15 points off 9-14 shooting, and 6 boards in 28 minutes. Prior to this Aris produced a great display in front of their fans against Spanish giants Joventut. Thrashing their opponents 84-54 Betts was on hand to chip in 11 points in 19 minutes, although he did turn the ball over 4 times. Great week for Aris as they are still in with a chance of qualifying for the final 8. As it stands they a 3rd in group I , but level on win/losses (3-2)
Pops Mensah Bonsu – CSKA Moscow (Russia)
Pop’s did not play in the Euroleague victory over Malaga, but was back in league action at the weekend as CSKA took on Enisey at home. Pop’s finished on a credible 11 points in just 18 minutes hitting 7 of his 13 shots plus pulling down 8 rebounds. CSKA stay top with a 13-1 record, and are on course for a euroleague/Russian championship double.
Flinder Boyd – Ourense (Spain LEB Gold)
It’s been a bad 10 days for Ourense. Last Wednesday they took on Tenerife, but went down 55-65. Flinder scoring just 4 points, and 3 boards in 28 minutes of action. The following weekend they were up against Girona away from home. Ourense were well beaten going down 83-54. Flinder scored a disappointing 3 points in 15 minutes and it leaves his team on 3 straight defeats. Ourense slip to 12th with a 12-15 record.
Dan Clarke – Estudiantes (Spain ACB)
Did not play last weekend in the 84-75 away win to Granada. Estuduiantes sit 7th in the ACB on 12-12 record.
Joel Freeland – Malaga( Spain ACB)
In the nightmare week that saw Malaga dumped out of Europe and humbled in the league it was even more dissapointing that Joel could not shine. scoring just 6 pints against Bilbao, and zero against CSKA it will be a week to totally forget for Joel.
Nick George – Fastweb (Italy Lega 2)
A good display by Nick saw his team claim their 13th win of the season. Fastweb comfortably defeated Riveria Sola 85-64. Nick scored 16 points off 8-13 shooting, 6 boards, 2 steals, and 2 assists in 30 minutes. The win puts Fastweb on a 13-9 record and 4th spot in the table.
Jarret Hart – Keravnos (Cyprus)
Jarrett got his hands on silver ware at weekend as his team defeated Achilleas in the Cypriot cup. The game finished 71-65 with Jarrett scoring 4 points. Congratulations to him and his team, hopefully this will give him more confidence to play well in the late stages of the season.
Michael Lenzley – Nymburk (Czech Republic)
As per usual Nymburk eased to domestic win at weekend. This time it was against Opava with the game ending 106-81. Michael continued his good form finishing on 14 points off 7-10 shooting in 22 minutes of action. Nymburk stay top on 30-3 record. Prior to this Nymburk produced another great display in Eurocup as they battered Crvena Zvez 73-55. Michael this time had 12 points and 5 rebounds which helped his team to have a fighting chance of qualifying for the final 8
Nate Reinking – Mons ( Belgium)
Mons got a much needed win at weekend against Leuven. Nate played just 4 minutes scoring 2 points in the process as they defeated their opponents 72-67. Mons currently lie 5th on a 10-10 record.
Andrew Sullivan – Newcastle Eagles
Eagles procuced a stunning performance over nearest rivals Sheffield at weekend. Andrew produced the goods as he went for 23 points off 15-24 shooting, & 7 rebounds in 29 minutes. The game finished 99-79 and moved Newcastle to the top of the BBL, albeit on games played with a 23-5 record
March 10, 2010 at 4:48 am · Filed under Brits Abroad
By Duncan Ogilvie
Kim Butler – Panionios. Greek A1
There were three games in a week for Panionios. On Sunday 28th Kim and Panionios faced 10th place Apollo Kalamaria. The final score was a 67-61 victory for the home team. Kimberly saw her time limited to just 25 minutes due to picking up an injury early in the third quarter, she did return with three minutes left to ensure a victory for the home side. Kim contributed 10 points (5/10 FG) and grabbed 2 rebounds and 1 assist.
On March 3rd, Panionios travelled to Thessaloniki to take on Aris. In a game that took overtime to separate the 2 teams, it was Aris that walked away with a 73-70 victory. It was a very suspect call that enabled the home side to force overtime, and another controversial decision by the home ref’s ended up costing Panionios the victory. Kimberly played 38 minutes and had a very productive game, hitting a game high 25 points (11/16 FG) grabbing 5 rebounds and dishing out 4 assists. This past Sunday 7th March, Panionios returned home to face Esperides, since their last meeting which panionios won Esperides have signed WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes. In a tight game throughout it was Esperides that managed to turn around a 12 point half time deficit into a 5 points victory 55-60. In 25 minutes kim contributed 9 points 3 rebounds and 2 assists. Sunday 14th March will see them travel across Athens to take on 7th placed Faliro. Panionios are currently 8th in the league with a 9-10 record.
Louise Gamman – Fila San Martino Di Lupari A2 North Italy
On the 27th Louise and San Martino faced league leaders Virtus Cagliari. In a low scoring game, San Martino let slip a 5 point halftime lead to go down 50-46 at home. San Martino started slow hitting 8 points in the 1st quarter but did a great job holding the league leaders to just 7 points, at half time they still had a slim lead 26-21. Louise struggled to find her shooting touch going 1-6 from the field for 2 points, she did however grab 9 rebounds but eventually fouled out in 29 minutes. The following week (6th March) it was better news for Louise and San Martino as they beat Tecno Allarmi Cervia 67-50 at home. Lousie had a great game hitting 24 points (9/13 FG) and grabbing 13 rebounds in 36 minutes. The win now moves San Martino onto a 11-12 record and 7th in the table. On the 13th the team will travel to 4th placed Iveco Lenzi Bolzano.
Julie Page – Aix-en-Provence LFB 1 France
A 6’2 forward/center from Stockport England, Julie is currently playing in the top league in France. Her team is currently lying in 11th place out of 14 with a 5-15 record. Julie’s stats for the year are 14.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg 4.1 turnovers per game and 1.7 assists with a evaluation of 12.4. She is currently shooting 35% from 3, 50.3% from 2 and 76.5% from the foul line. She is playing just over 30 minutes a game.
March 10, 2010 at 4:39 am · Filed under British Basketball League (BBL)
By Steve Waters
With only a few weeks left of the regular season, I thought it was a good time to have a look at all 13 BBL teams and their play-off chances.
Cheshire Jets
Good team whose consistent form has made them play-off certainties, I don’t know if they have enough to get home court advantage though!
Prediction – Play offs
Essex Pirates
It was always going to be a difficult first season for The Pirates but they have shown enough to give me the belief that they can improve and stick around the league for a few years.
Prediction – 12th
Everton Tigers
Nowhere near as dominant as last year but after losing stars like Andre Smith (Turkey) and GB international Richard Midgely (retired) they where never going to be the same team, however bringing in 2 time league MVP Trey Moore midway through the season helped to make them one of the best teams in the L. Although they don’t have the players they had last year I think they can still make the final 4.
Prediction – Semi Finalists
Glasgow Rocks
Another very consistent team, Star player – Rob Yanders continues to be one of the BBL’s best performers. Glasgow has both, great perimeter shooters and good strong inside presence; The Rocks remain one of the toughest sides to beat.
Prediction – Semi finalists
Guildford Heat
Good deep squad and one of the season’s underachievers, I still think they will make the play-offs.
Prediction – Play offs
Leicester Riders
Much improved this year after picking up some good players in the off season, unfortunately for them, star player Tack Minor left midway through the season, however, Brad Wierzbicki seems to get better all the time,
Prediction – Play offs
London Capital
It’s amazing to me that our capital can produce such a weak team, especially when you look back at former London teams, The Towers and Leopards who both dominated the BBL for a few years in the 90s, I wouldn’t be surprised if there isn’t a team from London in the BBL next year.
Prediction – 13th
MK Lions
Great squad with a good mixture of experience and youth, aggressive on both sides of the court and in my opinion are much better than the 6th place position they currently hold.
Prediction – Play offs
Newcastle Eagles
Not as strong as last years Eagles team after losing Tafari Toney (Sheffield) and Trey Moore (Everton) in the off-season but still continue to be the best team in the country, despite not having much depth in the squad, I don’t know if this is completely down to the league being weaker this season but credit has to go to Fab Flournoy, who has continued to prove what a great coach he really is.
Prediction – Winners
Plymouth Raiders
Very streaky team, they have struggled this year, the new faces have began to settle now but unfortunately it looks like it will be too little too late and The Raiders will fail to make the play-offs.
Prediction – 10th
Sheffield Sharks
Without a doubt the BBL’s most improved team this year, great recruitment in the off-season and the biggest contenders to Newcastles throne.
Prediction – Runners up
Worcester Wolves
A very up and down season for The Wolves which has seen a lot of changes in staff and personnel, It has been difficult but they now have Paul James who is a great coach and has made a lot of improvements which where clearly needed still one of the weaker teams in the L though. Expect them to be much better next year.
Prediction – 11th
Worthing Thunder
Have done well to be serious play-off contenders, especially after losing Ryan Patton (Sheffield) in the off-season. Not sure if they have enough to finish in the top 8.
Pictures courtesy and copyright of Tony Fowles/essexsportsagency.com
Prediction – 9th
