BBL 2015/16 Season is about to tip off

Welcome back Joe Chapman

Leicester Riders have an extra week of preparation and are spending some time in Sweden, but for the rest of the BBL’s elite it’s very much showtime.

All eyes will be on Esh Group Eagles Newcastle following their haul of all four trophies last season. First up in their BBL Championship defence is a trip to old rivals, Sheffield Sharks this evening.

Fab Flournoy has all his major pieces back from last year and arguably strengthened with the addition of Joe Chapman. Sharks’ captain Mike Tuck is hoping the hosts can set the tone for their season with a win over the reigning champions.

“It’s definitely extra motivation playing Newcastle first,” he said.

“They are a proven, disciplined team with a lot of weapons – all of our guys know that they have to bring their A-game to start the season the right way with a win.

“The Eagles are virtually bringing the exact same Championship team in from last year and are only going from strength to strength by getting Joe Chapman back.

“For us, it’s about slowing down and stopping key players and making them play at our pace.

“The league is already shaping up to be pretty tough this year and it’s very important that we don’t give up any games early on, so we can maintain a strong record through to the end.”

Worcester Wolves have undergone a major roster shake-up this summer with Disraeli Lufadeju the sole survivor from last year’s squad. Ben Eaves, Jay Couisnard and Pavol Losonsky all have BBL experience and will be aiming to hit the ground running against Glasgow Rocks.

Sterling Davis is sticking purely to the sidelines this season after announcing his playing retirement and with a youthful squad assembled, the onus will be on GB veteran Kieron Achara to provide the Rocks with experience.

Rocks’ Head Coach Sterling Davis, Photo MPhotography

On Saturday, another new dawn of basketball in Surrey gets underway when Creon Raftopoulos’ Scorchers travel to last season’s newcomers Bristol Flyers. Having snuck into the Play-Offs at the first attempt, the Flyers will be looking for a repeat of last season which saw them begin with a home victory.

Surrey on the other hand, have alternative ideas and will be keen to show their intent immediately.

“The suspense has been building ahead of this weekend for a long time,” said Tayo Ogedengbe, who is set to make his 200th BBL Championship appearance.

“I can’t wait to get started and all of our pieces aren’t quite together at the moment, but I’m confident the team we put out on the floor will be strong enough.”

And Ogedengbe – who played for previously played for the franchise from 2009-12 – is taking up a new role for the season after being named as the club captain.

“It’s going to be a little bit different – a lot more for me to control, but I’ve been wanting another challenge in my career and I’m going to take it with open arms.”

Plymouth Raiders will be desperate to make the Play-Offs this season after two years of disappointment, and they begin by welcoming last season’s BBL Play-Off runners-up London Lions to the Pavilions in the other game on Saturday.

The Raiders have enjoyed a successful pre-season as they integrate a number of new faces to the squad, including the highly rated Daryl Corletto – one of five Australians.

“We are getting there,” he said of the squad’s cohesion. “We have really had one full week together but I feel as a group we are ready and excited to get the season started in the right way.

He continued, “We have had four good wins in pre-season, but everyone knows that the level of intensity goes up once the real season starts. “So far, we have loved the Pavilions arena – it seems like a great venue with great fans. “The first game is just as important as the last game and we want to protect our home court starting with Saturday night.”

Cheshire Phoenix will be doing double duty this weekend as they take on Leeds Force in Yorkshire this evening, before hosting Manchester Giants on Sunday at their new Cheshire Oaks Arena.

Cheshire Phoenix ready for another hot streak

David Aliu remains captain as John Lavery once again takes charge at the helm following the departure of John Coffino. Manchester have made a change on the sidelines of their own with former player Yorick Williams taking up his first role as a Head Coach.

Meanwhile Leeds have recruited well from their BBL rivals and improvement on last season’s seven game wait for an opening victory will be the target.