Georgina Lennon :: Rocks V Newcastle pre match report...

THE Old Firm of basketball comes to Braehead Arena on Wednesday night, when the SAMG Verve Scottish Rocks take on the Newcastle Eagles for the first time this season.

The two teams last met at the BBL Finals weekend in April, where the Eagles beat the Rocks to take the Finals trophy from them for the second year in a row.

Last season the teams did battle on seven different occasions – including all three-knockout competition games.  The Eagles knocked the Rocks out of the BBL Trophy with a 86-78 win, but the Rocks got revenge when they thrashed their rivals 94-69 in the BBL Cup semi-final.

Eagles veteran player/coach, Fab Flourony had this to say about his rivals: “Rocks are a tough team and they are harder to beat when they’re at home.

We’ve built up a real derby rivalry with them over the past two seasons especially.” “We always fight it out in the League and Trophy and our paths usually cross paths in the Cup as well. They are always tough games and Wednesday won’t be any different.  One thing you can guarantee is that it will probably come down to the last minute and probably the last shot.” The teams are set to meet each other at least five times throughout the 2007/2008 season and with the Rocks retaining most of the team from last season, Fab knows exactly what his team are facing.

“Rob Yanders is one of the best point guards in the league, he controls the game well and gives them a really solid foundation.
Sterling is a great force inside and can also step outside.”

“He’s running the same system as last year and he’ll get better as coach as the season goes on.

He’ll learn when to make subs, when to take time-outs and when the defence needs adjusting.
It takes time to adjust to being player-coach.”

He added: “Julius Joseph is one of the biggest talents in English basketball, and by bringing back Maurice Hampton and Moritz Wholers they have kept last season’s team together and are a well rounded unit.”