Major blow as BiG Storage Cheshire Jets ace Chez Marks ruled out for season

Mar 2 2009 by Alec Doyle, Chester Chronicle

CHEZ Marks will miss the rest of the season after BiG Storage Cheshire Jets’ top scorer broke his arm on Sunday.

As the Jets hosted Worcester Wolves at their “outground” – Warrington’s Birchwood Centre – Marks went up for the ball and landed awkwardly on his elbow.

The 28-year-old, who had put on 17 points for the eventual winners, was taken off to a standing ovation.

A scan at Warrington General Hospital confirmed the worst.

A clean break of the humerus, or upper arm bone, was diagnosed, leaving the power forward laid up for around six weeks.

The injury came the day after the BBL Championship transfer window slammed shut, meaning the Jets will have to rely on the remaining members of their squad to step up to the plate.

Jets’ head coach Paul Smith said: “I’m disappointed for Chez. He’s an outstanding player but also a great person and this news has hit him hard, but that’s professional sport.

“There are a number of veterans in the side who are more than capable of stepping up and providing the support and drive that Chez gives to the Jets. We just wish him a speedy recovery.”

As the club was coming to terms with the injury, they were given a lift as Smith was named BBL coach of the month for February. Jets are currently on a red-hot run of six consecutive Championship wins and one BBL Trophy success.