BBL Championship: Helsby’s Devan Bailey and Cheshire Jets legend Calvin Davis join troubled Mersey Tigers

Oct 6 2011 by Alec Doyle, Chester Chronicle

HELSBY’S Great Britain international Devan Bailey has spearheaded a late surge of signings for troubled defending BBL Championship and Trophy champions Mersey Tigers.

The 22-year-old guard left Central Connecticut College this summer to enter the professional ranks.

And he has been given an opportunity to link up with Great Britain captain Drew Sullivan at the Tigers, who until Wednesday looked unlikely to get off the ground this season.

Until then only Sullivan and David Aliu had signed, forcing last weekend’s BBL Trophy tie against the Jets to be postponed until this Sunday (5.30pm) as the Tigers – under new ownership – grappled with funding issues.

The trio will be joined by former Jets Calvin Davis and Matt Otten.

Davis, also a former Tiger, is considered a Jets legend, having been part of the Jetwash side that won every trophy in 2002.

Former Essex Pirate Myles Hesson, rookie Canadian Kris Douse of Point Park University and Tigers youth prospect James Griffiths complete Tony Garbelotto’s roster.

Jets coach John Lavery still had little to go on earlier this week, but said: “We know they are recruiting, two of those players are Sullivan and Aliu and they are big guys, Sullivan is the GB captain and Aliu is a key player.

“But we have to just try to put right the things we did wrong on Sunday and it will come together for us.”