Blazers to take on Rockets

DERBY Trailblazers will test themselves tonight against another of the NBL Division One sides who have had a resurgence of form.

They round off November against Reading Rockets at the Clarence Wiggins Sports Centre (7pm).

The Rockets sit seventh in the table with a 4-2 record, while last weekend’s 43-point win over Oaklands Wolves saw Derby climb to fifth place with a 5-4 record.

Rockets are traditionally a perennial feature in the upper reaches of the table, but have struggled over the past two seasons. Their response was to bring in a new head coach and two new overseas players to compliment a number of wellknown faces.

“Meshack Lufile is a genuine back-to-the-basket kind of player that we don’t see many of in our league,” said Derby head coach Matt Shaw.

“It will be a tricky match-up and I think we’ll have our hands full trying to keep him quiet.

“I’ve also been really impressed with Tyler Cartaino. He can do a little bit of everything and he’s a real statline filler. Trying to keep him quiet and make his life as difficult as possible will also be a key part of the game plan.

“They have a handful of other new players to go with some good returning players, so we’ve definitely got our work cut out. Hopefully, we can build on last week’s performance and continue to play our exciting brand of basketball and make it difficult for the opposition.”

Rockets were not in action last weekend but come to Derby having won four of the last five in the league. Their one defeat came at home to Nottingham Hoods.

Cartaino averages 17.7 points and 10 rebounds, with Lufile adding 16.2 points and 6.7 rebounds.

Derby’s scoring is led by Malcolm Smith on 22.8ppg, Ryan Bruggeman on 21.0 and Jonas Dieterich with 16.4.