Game of the Week: Leicester Warriors v Worthing Thunder
13th January 2012
Our Game of the Week for this weekend features two of the three Division 1 Men's teams currently riding 7-3 records, Leicester Warriors and Worthing Thunder, who meet at Braunstone Leisure Centre on Saturday afternoon.
Derby Trailblazers join Warriors and Thunder in a three-way tie for second in the league and this match-up in Leicester could impact the final playoff positions.
Worthing are coming off a loss at home to Brixton last weekend and it looks like head coach Gary Smith will still be sidelined for Thunder with ongoing health problems.
"I wouldn't say it's definite at the moment, but it's looking likely that I will be coaching the guys this weekend," said stand-in coach James Brame.
"Gary has told me that he hopes to get better in time for this week and I would never count him out, so, like we've done for the last month or so, we'll have to wait and see."
Despite dropping their opening two league games Thunder are looking strong this season, having won seven consecutive before losing to Topcats last weekend.
They have faced Warriors once already, in the Men's Trophy group stages, and hammered them 86-54 in Leicester. Despite this, Brame knows they are a threat as their 7-3 record will attest:
"Leicester are an improving side that can beat anybody on any given day. They all look out for each other and play great team basketball, so we have to be at our best," he said.
"Our position in the league is a lot more challenging now. That's our third loss and remembering from past EBL experiences, you can't afford to lose three or more games, otherwise it can be even more of an uphill struggle."
The signing of American forward Hank Rivers has definitely helped Thunder, as he's averaging 19.6 points and 12.7 boards per contest, but they have a roster full of potential offensive threats. Courtney Small and Marcus Tullis are both hovering around 18 points per game and Italian-American Vinnie Darpino is capable of putting up good numbers.
Worthing will be without Liam Mitchell for Saturday's game at Leicester due to a minor injury sustained against Brixton but Brame hopes that Mitchell should be available for Sunday's Men's National Trophy quarter-final against BA London Leopards.