Bad weekend for “shabbily dressed” Leicester coach
As if Leicester coach Rob Paternostro hadn’t had a bad enough weekend, even his dress sense was getting picked on in the Monday morning newspaper reports. The admittedly biased report in the Plymouth Herald says of the Riders play-caller “who, forgive me if I’m being pernickety, hardly covered himself in glory yesterday dressed shabbily in shellsuit bottoms and a polo shirt.” Maybe that’s why they lost. Turns out too that the reporter would have made Paternostro enjoy the bus journey home on his own, adding: “If I had been Paternostro I would have made my players walk home last night, because, for a squad who include two Great Britain internationals, it was pathetic.” Nothing like a bad winner, eh.
Big city names give BBL a boost
With the news last week of the London Leopards’ intention to apply to the BBL, we could be in for some exciting times post-Olympics. With Birmingham already signed, sealed and delivered for next season and London hopefully to follow, it’s just up to Manchester to make it three big names back in the BBL next term. And from what I hear, news about Manchester’s progress might only be just around the corner. For Birmingham, it can’t be long until we start hearing more noises from them about joining the league. Will they be holding a poll for the team nickname and colours? We would certainly love to see that. They could do worse than follow a similar model to what the Gold Coast Titans rugby league team did when joining the professional ranks in Australia a few years ago.
“Biggest ever game” for Worcester Wolves
Sport fans always like to see different names in the hat at the back end of competitions – how boring was football when the top 4 dominated year upon year? Last season, we saw Mersey Tigers win the treble, but there was a cup win for Sheffield and a final appearance for Guildford. This year, in the first final of the season, we’ll see either Plymouth or Worcester play Newcastle. For the Wolves, it represents great progress for them in their sixth year since joining the BBL, and they are hoping to reach their first final. Plymouth have been to the big day before, losing to the then Everton Tigers, but they will fancy their chances of getting their name on the cup come January.
Win BBL Cup Final Tickets
Speaking of the BBL Cup Final, we’re giving away a pair of tickets for the event at the NIA in Birmingham on Sunday 15th January. Newcastle Eagles sealed their place with a win over Leicester at the weekend, while Plymouth and Worcester take each other on in a double header this weekend to see who will go up against the north east giants. Click here to enter.
Winter Basketball Camps
Glasgow Rocks could well be leading the way with their Winter Basketball Camp, that is being held prior to their New Year game against Sheffield on December 30th. Targeted at ages 7-18, it includes three hours of basketball coaching as well as a ticket to the big game, and a few other gifts, all for just £25. Rocks coach Sterling Davis said: “I think it’s a great time to have a basketball camp – the weather is usually cold and wet and kids don’t always get the opportunity to play outside. It’s also chance for parents to get some time to themselves-maybe hit the sales while we teach the kids some basketball.” He may well have a point! Hopefully some more BBL clubs will follow suit.
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