No fear of going into Lions’ den
CUP FINAL AWAITS IF EAGLES CAN HOLD ON
RAHMON Fletcher insist Newcastle Eagles are not concerned that they are only taking a small lead to London Lions for the second leg of their BBL Cup semi-final today.
The Eagles won 75-73 at Sport Central in the first leg on Friday but will need to be at their best to stop the capital club from overhauling the two-point deficit.
Fab Flournoy’s side were boosted by 22 points from influential point guard Fletcher, who also found time to dish out eight assists during the game and made the driving lay-up to give the hosts victory.
Whilst many may believe Newcastle needed a bigger lead to take to London, Fletcher was just pleased his side eked out a win and returned to some of their principles during the game which he felt had been missing in their last few games.
“It’s a win. A win is a win especially coming off the back of the two losses we had in London last time out. For me it’s a different competition and two points is nothing. As far as I’m concerned it’s 0–0 going into the Copper Box and we’ve got to be ready.”
“What pleased me most about Friday’s game was our defensive intensity something that I think has been missing in the last couple of weeks or so. They way we won and the way we defended is something that has to be our staple. Offence will come but defence has to be our staple.” Given that the Lions mauled the Eagles 96-78 in their last clash, Fletcher was pleased that the Tynesider club had bounced back well against such tough opposition and wasn’t too concerned that they didn’t win by a bigger margin. “It’s basketball. They’re top of the league for a reason. If we’d won by 20 I’d have been super happy but we won by two and need to take that momentum in to today’s game and we’ll see which way it falls.” While Fletcher top scored for the home side, it was GB international guard Justin Robinson recorded 21 points for London and the clash between the two was a feature on Friday and will be again today. “I have nothing but respect for Justin. He’s a competitor and so am I. When you go between those lines there is no friends, no being nice and there’s going to be a lot of talking especially with the prize that’s on offer.”
That prize would be a Cup Final spot against either Manchester Giants or Glasgow Rocks who are both lower in the league than the other semi-final combatants meaning many see the winners’ of today’s clash as the overwhelming favourites to lift the Cup.
Without doubt it’s the biggest game of Newcastle’s season so far and one they’d definitely love to win to set themselves up not just for a cup final appearance but the rest of the BBL season.
But Fletcher is not thinking about that yet and thinks even if the Eagles can get past the Lions, the veteran American playmaker is aware of the need to avoid complacency.
He added: “For me a final is a final and whoever advances has to be ready to roll as that next team that awaits will have nothing to lose. For us to have that shot is to take on board how we played on Friday. That’s where we get our confidence from.”
“I keep mentioning our defensive intensity because that’s our key and has to be our focus. All the good things we do come easier if we’re locked in to our defensive principles that’s why it was pleasing to see that on Friday and that’s what we’ve got to bring today.”
Two points is nothing. As far as I’m concerned it’s 0–0 going in to the Copper Box and we’ve got to be ready Rahmon Fletcher