Cheshire Jets: Stephen Gayle keen for ‘invincibles’ to stay together

Mar 10 2011 by Alec Doyle, Chester Chronicle

STEPHEN Gayle would like to see the current Cheshire Jets squad stay together past this season as they currently feel ‘invincible’.

The guard was talking as the Jets prepared for Sunday’s home clash with Guildford Heat (5.30pm).

He admitted that while it was rare for basketball teams to go unchanged season after season, he would like the class of 2011 to stick together.

“I don’t know what the other guys are doing so I can’t say for sure who will be back next season,” he said.

“But, personally, I would like to see these players come back next time.

“Everyone gets on which is really important and we have a lot of ability in this squad.

“I think a lot of it will depend how we finish but if we do well, we could see some of them back.”

As regards his own future, Gayle said he would like to re-sign for the Jets, but has not yet had a conversation about it.

“I like it here,” he said. “I think it depends how I play but I keep performing the way I am at the moment I’d like to think I could be back here next year.”

The Jets face a Heat side keen to bounce back after Mersey Tigers vanquished them in the BBL Trophy final.

But Gayle said there was no fear in Paul Smith’s camp of their visitors feeling they have something to prove, as the Jets are confident they have enough in the locker to defeat Creon Raftopoulos’ side.

“We are not worried,” said the Mancunian. “Until recently we had something missing. We were winning then we lost something, and now it is back.

“Matt Schneck has made a huge difference and since he has come back and we have settled into the same things we were doing earlier in the season I think there is a feeling of invincibility around the squad.”

That confidence will need to remain unshaken after Sunday because, in a week’s time, Jets face the most important weekend of their campaign so far when they travel to face leaders Newcastle and entertain third-placed Mersey Tigers.

“These are the games we play for,” said Gayle. “If you want to be top you have to beat the best and on paper those sides are better than us.

“But we have already proved that we are up there and if we beat them we give ourselves a great chance.”