Mike Burton Invitational Is Back

The tournament is named after current Phoenix director and former head coach, Mike Burton, who is a household name in British basketball, having been involved in the game since 1970!

We will be joined by the Glasgow Rocks (defending champions), Bristol Flyers and Belfast Star on the 18th (Saturday) and 19th (Sunday) of September.

We will take on the Rocks in the opening game of the tournament, at 4 p.m. on Saturday 18th September. Our fixture against the Flyers is scheduled for 6:20 p.m. on the same day, while the last Group Stage game against Star will take place on Sunday, at 10 a.m.

The final of the tournament will tip off at 2 p.m. on Sunday 19th September.

RULES:
Group Stage fixtures:
4 x 10 minute running clock quarters.
Last two minutes of the fourth quarter will be stopping clock.
Each team has one time out per quarter (1 minute).
If overtime is required, it will be five minutes running clock.
Normal amount of time between periods 1 & 2 and 3 & 4.
Half-time will be five minutes.
All other rules will be as normal.

Playoff and Final Game:
4 x 12 minute running clock quarters.
Last two minutes of the fourth quarter will be stopping clock.
Each team has one time out per quarter (1 minute).
If overtime is required, it will be five minutes running clock.
All other rules will be as normal.

Cheshire Phoenix general manager, James Brice, declared: “We are really pleased to be able to bring back the Mike Burton Pre Season Invitational tournament. Obviously we were unable to host it last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, but when we launched the inaugural tournament in the 2019/20 season, it turned out to be a huge success, it was really well attended and it’s something that we want to do every year.

“The Glasgow Rocks won that tournament so we are really happy to welcome them back as defending champions and we are really pleased to welcome the Bristol Flyers and Belfast Star from Northern Ireland for their first appearance in the tournament.

“We can’t wait to welcome all of our fans back to the arena and we hope that they can enjoy some quality basketball!”