Our weekly bitesize snippets from the BBL.
Sullivan future sorted?
It was one of the major talking points on the eve of the season, as Great Britain captain Drew Sullivan left champions Mersey Tigers to join Leicester Riders on a week-to-week contract. It was always going to be a tough ask for the Riders to keep hold of Sullivan, but their impressive start to the season may well have swung things in their favour. They’ve got a press conference on Thursday, which Sullivan will be attending, to make a “major announcement on their playing staff.” It would be the perfect boost for the Riders ahead of their finely poised cup semi-final second leg should Sullivan commit to a long term deal.
BBL live on SKY
After two weeks of as-live games on SKY, we have the first live game of the season on Tuesday night, as MK Lions take on Worcester Wolves. The Lions have had an indifferent campaign so far, while the Wolves have been flying, their winning run only ended by a buzzer-beating basket by Sheffield’s Nate Reinking at the weekend. Getting behind the BBL on SKY is important for the development of the sport – so make sure you tune in!
Dream sports scholarship in Plymouth
Plymouth Raiders have teamed up with the city’s three other major professional sports clubs to provide students at Plymouth YMCA’s Discovery College with a range of sports scholarships. For the past three years, Discovery College students have been combining full time educational studies with elite coaching and training at Plymouth Argyle Football Club. From September 2012, they will also be able to train and develop a promising career with Plymouth Albion rugby union club, Plymouth Raiders basketball and Boringdon Park Golf.
Raiders chief executive Dave Briggs said: “The Raiders are delighted to be involved with an already well established and proven scholarship programme with Discovery College. Basketball along with the other new sports opens up the opportunity to a new group of students and sports people, and I know already we have a number of players that have indicated they want to be a part of this exciting initiative in September.”
Aliu just shy of club record
Mersey Tigers captain and BBL Fans columnist David Aliu claimed a team-high 19 points as the Tigers picked up their first league win of the season by defeating Durham Wildcats at the weekend. Unfortunately for Aliu, he will have to wait another week to claim the franchise’s points scoring record – he needs two points against the Cheshire Jets on Friday to overtake James Jones’ 991 for the Tigers and become their highest points scorer ever.
Get your BBL Cup Final tickets
If last weekend’s semi-final first leg between Newcastle and Leicester is anything to go by, then you need to get your hands on tickets for the BBL Cup Final. It takes place once again at the NIA in Birmingham, for the tenth year in succession, with either the Eagles or the Riders taking on Worcester and Plymouth for the first silverware of the season. It was won last year by the Sheffield Sharks, who beat Mersey Tigers.
The match itself starts at 3.45pm, but doors open at noon with plenty of pre-match entertainment and a leading game from the women’s basketball scene, when City of Sheffield Hatters take on Nottingham Wildcats.
To purchase tickets for this ‘must see’ event visit www.theticketfactory.com or call 0844 338 8000.
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