New-look Heat on a roll

Guildford coach Creon Raftopoulos takes his rejuvenated side to face Sheffield Sharks this weekend.

Heat have moved off the bottom of the league after picking up two wins in 2012 so far, against Durham and Cheshire, while Sheffield’s form has also picked up of late.

The Sharks got the better of Guildford in the reverse fixture at Surrey Sports Park, 86-75, but that meeting will count for little on Friday.

Raftopoulos said: “We’re a new team playing better basketball so our first meeting will count for nothing. At the turn of the year we set ourselves some new team goals and if we reach them in each game it should be good enough to get us the win. In our last two games we have missed a combined 30 plus free throws and still got wins so I know we will improve on that aspect of our game.”

Sharks player-coach Atiba Lyons goes into the game four defensive rebounds away from his 500th in BBL Championship games, but he knows that his team face a tough game on Friday evening.

He said: “Creon has really improved his roster by signing Drew Lasker. He fits his system very well, and along with Mike Martin they are a very tough duo to defend. I’m surprised with their poor start to the season, but to be honest it will be a whole new team we are facing. They will be very good in the open court and spread the floor.”