BBL Championship: Cheshire Jets prepare to welcome an old friend and face a mystery foe

Nov 3 2011 by Alec Doyle, Chester Chronicle

THE unknown and the familiar lie ahead of the Cheshire Jets this weekend as they travel north to take on the BBL Championship’s rookie side Durham Wildcats before welcoming Glasgow Rocks – and Gareth Murray – back to the Northgate Arena.

The Wildcats are still looking for their first win since becoming a BBL side and having seen his side go out of the BBL Cup against Plymouth Raiders, Wildcats’ coach Dave Elderkin admits that the going has been tough.

“We are disappointed to be out of both Cup and Trophy but we are keen to get on court for our first league action this weekend,” he said.

“I don't know much about them, they had a good road win at the weekend, but I'm sure we'll face another opponent keen not to lose to the ‘new boys’.”

Sunday brings the visit of the Rocks, who re-signed former Jet Murray in the summer.

Rocks player-coach Sterling Davis released Murray as surplus to requirements late in the 2010 preseason, but the Jets swooped and he showed his former club what they had lost by having a great season in Chester and Davis chose to re-sign him this year.

Davis believes he has knows what his side will face on Sunday.

“I know they still have some very important pieces from last season’s team in Matt Schneck and Colin O'Reilly,” he said.

“Schneck will be a big part of what they do because of his ability to impact the game in so many ways.

“But I am happy with my team. I think our group play well together and understand each other.”