Scorchers’ new face ‘MBA’ is a danger
GB INTERNATIONAL WILL MAKE HIS HOME DEBUT AGAINST THE RIDERS Matthew BryanAmaning guided London City Royals to Trophy success last season
LEICESTER Riders head to Guildford tonight, looking to continue their rise up the BBL Championship table as they take on Surrey Scorchers (7.30).
Riders go into the weekend in eighth place, but have played three or four games fewer than the teams above them and when you look at defeats – arguably a better measure than points in basketball – only league leaders London Lions, who they beat last week, can match them.
“We definitely feel like we are improving,” said coach Rob Paternostro.
“On video that’s been evident over the last couple of weeks and it is something we talk about and want to improve on and keep going.
“The attitude and enthusiasm has been excellent and it’s an opportunity to keep this run going.”
Surrey had a rough campaign in the cup, but like many teams who struggled early on in the BBL season made changes to their roster in time for the start of the league campaign and as a result started very strongly.
“I think the additions they have made, they have been a dangerous team and have shown, especially at home, they are tough to beat,” said Paternostro.
“They have always had a good home crowd and it’s a tough place to play.”
They have dropped a few losses recently, but last week signed Matthew Bryan-Amaning in a significant coup for the Scorchers.
The Great Britain international last season guided London City Royals to Trophy success as well as a Play-off Final against the Riders, but was not expected to return to the BBL, so the capture of his signature caught many in the league by surprise for a team that has struggled in recent years.
Having played away at Sheffield and Plymouth, tonight will mark the home debut for ‘MBA’ and he is a player that has gotten the fanbase very excited to see in a Scorchers’ shirt.
Paternostro said: “It’s a big-time addition for them, they bring in a guy of that size, with that skill-set and British as well, it’s no wonder their fans are excited to see him in a Surrey shirt.
“Last season he was one of the more difficult players in the league to contain and he will add a lot to them.”
Riders have a tremendous record against the Scorchers, having not lost to Creon Raftopolous’ side since November 2012, a run of 23 wins and one play-off draw.
Hawthorne, Greenwood, Wilkins, Kuyinu, Raftopoulos, Payne, Reeves, Bryan-Amaning, Cook, Nanton-Hamel, Ogedengbe, White.
Scorchers:
Chuku, Lascelles, Anderson, Ward-Hibbert, Spencer, Wright, Dieterich, Jimenez, Scott, Thomson, Roberts, Johnson, Nelson-Henry.
Riders: About the Scorchers
The Scorchers struggled last season after their upset win in the Matchroom All Stars event in October, when they beat Leicester in the final, and are determined to make more of an impression this season.
They are owned by the University of Surrey, and have maintained continuity with head coach Creon Raftopoulos, British forward and captain, Tayo Ogedengbe, and diminutive point guard Caylin Raftopoulos, son of the coach.
But the rest of the squad is new, including dynamic American guards Lovell Cook, previously with London Lions, and Devontavius Payne, previously with Plymouth Raiders.
British guard Henry Wilkins, who has played in Europe, provides a shooting threat, and joins American power forward James Hawthorne, and Skyler White, a three-point specialist, who played in the US college system and for Scotland in the Commonwealth Games.
Their recent high profile signing is GB forward Matthew Bryan-Amaning, who has played for clubs around the world, including last season with London City Royals.
Form Guide
The Scorchers finished fifth in the South Group of the BBL Cup, and were knocked out of the BBL Trophy by London City Royals.
The Championship has been a happier hunting ground with wins over Bristol Flyers, Cheshire Phoenix, Manchester Giants and Plymouth Raiders.
After a rocky period, Riders have won their last two, including a win over leaders London Lions last time out. Riders won all three games between the teams last season.
Players to Watch
American Lovell Cook is Surrey’s leading scorer, averaging over 18 points a game, as well as pulling down over six rebounds, and dishing out 2.5 assists per game.
Riders saw new signing Corey Johnson have his biggest game so far for the Riders last time out against the Lions, with 18 points, including three three-pointers, grabbing four rebounds and delivering two assists.