Rob raring to go as new season gets under way
BBL CUP CLASH WITH NEWCASTLE OPENS RIDERS’ CAMPAIGN TOMORROW
LEICESTER Riders finally get their new season officially launched with a BBL Cup group match against Newcastle Eagles at the Mo r n i n g s i d e Arena tomorrow (5pm).
The game is part of the first phase of BBL Cup fixtures, which sees the Riders pitted home and away against Newcastle, London Lions and Sheffield Sharks.
Riders’ last match in competition was almost nine months ago on March 13, a home match against Manchester Giants in the BBL Championship, a game which Riders won easily as they continued in BBL Championship contention.
Two days later the BBL Trophy Final, won by tomorrow’s visitors, was the last piece of silverware contested, as Covid-19 brought the season to a premature end.
Riders’ season should have started more than a month ago, but the announcement by the government in late September advising no return of spectators to sporting events put paid to that.
The season was rebooted following confirmation from the government that professional basketball was to receive compensation for the loss of spectators, but Riders preseason was disrupted by a Covid-19 outbreak within their programme.
It meant their pre-season programme was limited to just two games – a narrow home loss at home to Sheffield, followed up last weekend by an emphatic win on the road at Cheshire Phoenix.
Meanwhile, Newcastle got their regular season off to a winning start in their season opener last Sunday, with a sensational win at the Copper Box in overtime against London Lions.
Riders head coach Rob Paternostro can’t wait for the first competitive game of the season this weekend,
“I think we are all looking forward to finally starting the BBL season,” he said.
“It’s been a bit of a stop-start to get
As the game approaches, you can feel the excitement within the team
Rob Paternostro, of Riders
here, but as the game approaches, you can feel the excitement within the team.
“We thought it was important we played that friendly game last Sunday in Cheshire, even though we were a little short-handed.
“The group enjoyed playing together and enjoyed playing against someone else.
“They showed some good things at both ends of the floor. We’ve had a good week of practice, the guys are working hard and preparing for the weekend.
“We still have a long way to go in our preparations, but there is a relief we have finally arrived at the start to the season.”
“It has been a long time coming.” Although the game will be behind closed doors, the game will be streamed live on the Riders website.
For the Eagles, new signing Justin Gordon had a stunning start to his BBL career in the win at London, notching up 24 points while pulling down 17 rebounds.
Former MVP Rahmon Fletcher and former Wolves star Cortez Edwards make up a formidable back court for the Eagles.
Leicester Riders: Corey Johnson, Mo Walker, Jamell Anderson, Gino Crandall, Zach Jackson, Darien Nelson-Henry, William Lee, Conner Washington
Newcastle Eagles: Cortez Edwards, Darius Defoe, Rahmon Fletcher, Louis Sayers, Justin Gordon, Rex Pflueger, Evan Maxwell, Sauveur Kande, Eddie Matthews, Themba Yabantu