Basketball: Worthing Thunder boss wary of Cheshire Jets threat as sides prepare to meet at Northgate Arena

Oct 7 2010 Chester Chronicle

WORTHING Thunder are bracing themselves for a tough test at the Northgate Arena this Sunday.

They take on a Jets team who swept aside Essex Pirates 91-59 last Sunday in their first BBL Championship clash of the season.

Paul Smith’s side will be looking for another home win this weekend when they face the Thunder, who have tipped-off the new season with three defeats (all in the BBL Trophy).

Thunder director of coaching Alan Sweetman-Hicks said: “I haven't had a chance to see the Jets yet, but I know coach Smith will have them playing very team-orientated offence and that they will be difficult to break down defensively.

“By all accounts Jeremy Bell is a class act at the point and we know that Colin O’Reilly is capable of knocking down the outside shot and creates mismatch problems with his size.

“Also, Steven Gayle is an underrated player coming off the bench. He has come on leaps and bounds since he played for the Thunder and is capable of scoring a lot of points in a hurry if you go to sleep on him, as well as being tough defensively.”

Sweetman-Hicks has now handed the coaching reins over to Gary Smith.

The clubs have met six times in the last two years, with Jets leading the series 4-2.

Tip-off on Sunday is at 5.30pm.