Intense training for Riders ahead of two away games
LEICESTER Riders had the weekend off from BBL competition, but head coach Rob Paternostro was grateful for the break.
The Riders have had their most intense training sessions since they returned, with a full squad available and healthy.
“It was great to have the extra week off and it has helped a lot with our preparations,” said Paternostro.
“We have been able to do a lot of 5 on 5 work with all the guys, which we were unable to do in pre-season.
“That kind of work is invaluable and once the season is in full swing often you don’t get the opportunity to do a lot of it.
“So, I am grateful for the time together. The guys are building a better understanding of what’s required, as well as improving their conditioning, and, of course, they are getting more comfortable with what Geno Crandall and Zach Jackson, right, bring to the group.
“We have got two games coming up this weekend on the road, and that will pose plenty of challenges.
“We have already seen how good Bristol are, so we are going to need to make adjustments.”
Elsewhere, the BBL Cup holders Newcastle Eagles suffered their third straight defeat, losing 92-86 to Manchester Giants – the first time since the 1998/99 season that the league’s most decorated franchise have lost their first three games in a season.
Despite being eight points in front at half-time and cruising, the Eagles were outclassed in the second half as the Giants, led by Josh Steel (19), put on an offensive masterclass as all five starters dropped double-figures.
That completed a miserable weekend for the Eagles who were also beaten 85-82 by Sheffield Sharks.
Jonathan Williams starred for Sharks and he finished with 23 points, six rebounds and four assists.
The ever-reliable Rahmon Fletcher led the scoring for Eagles as he contributed 19 points and eight assists.
In other North Group action, Glasgow Rocks made light work of the Giants, winning 107-82.
They did it with a huge fourth quarter that saw them score 36 points and go over the 100-point mark in a superb performance.
Alasdair Fraser and Elijah Minnie led the scoring for Rocks, both finishing on 21 points.
But the Rocks lost out on the road to Cheshire Phoenix 84-77.
Ex-Riders star Namon Wright and Teddy Okereafor led the way for the home side, dropping 22 points and 21 points respectively, while Levi Bradley also contributed a significant portion of the scoring with 19 points. In the South Group, Plymouth City Patriots travelled to Surrey Scorchers with both teams searching for their first win of the season.
The Scorchers came out on top in a low-scoring cagey last quarter, that saw just 22 combined points scored, to edge it 65-57.
Stanley Davis Jr led the scoring for Scorchers with 18 points, narrowly missing out on a doubledouble with nine assists.
Bristol Flyers hosted London Lions with the away side picking up a deserved 90-80 win.
The victory was Lions’ third in a row to maintain their perfect start to the season. Dirk Williams finished with a game-high 21 points for London Lions.