Win would be Magic for us, says Preston

MEN’S BASKETBALL

JACK Preston has promised a professional and focused Team Northumbria will treat Saturday’s Division One rematch with Manchester Magic (6.00 tip-off) as a must-win clash - nothing more and nothing less.

Six players were ejected in the first quarter of the reverse fixture earlier this month.

Preston is one of four TN stars under threat of suspension as Basketball England continues to investigate the circumstances behind one of the most bizarre incidents in the sport’s history.

All eyes will be on this weekend’s return fixture with the very real prospect all six players dismissed in Manchester will be available for selection at Sport Central.

Preston said: “Who knows what may or may happen to me or any of the other guys involved in the game at their place. I am completely in the dark.

“It is not something I can worry about because right now we need to focus on picking up points.

“We lost at Worthing at the weekend and we cannot afford to drop any more points at home.

“It does not matter if it is Manchester or any other club.

“All of our Sport Central fixtures have become must-win games if we are to stand any chance of retaining our title.”

It was a heavy challenge on Preston which sparked a mass brawl in Manchester and the ejection of six players.

Investigations are continuing with Basketball England under pressure to reach a conclusion prior to Magic’s trip to Tyneside.

TN lost 85-76 to Worthing, Preston bagging 13 points.

A massive 32-point haul from American Malcolm Smith kept the visitors within touching distance but a dreadful second quarter cost Marc Steutel’s side dearly.

TN’s Division One record stands at 3-3 and the Tynesiders are already six points adrift of leaders Hemel Storm.