Basketball: Cheshire Jets face a frantic February

Feb 4 2010 by Alec Doyle, Chester Chronicle

A HECTIC month for Cheshire Jets tips-off this Sunday as Milton Keynes Lions head to the Northgate Arena (5.30pm).

The Jets are gearing up for eight matches in the space of 22 days through February, having booked a quarter-final place in the BBL Trophy last weekend.

As well as a last-eight Trophy clash away to Guildford Heat on Wednesday, February 17, Jets have three successive ‘double-header’ weekends after Sunday’s meeting with the Lions.

A few squad players got some important game-time in the Trophy win over London Leopards on Sunday and head coach Paul Smith will need to rely on those same men to keep the Jets on-track this month.

“Milton Keynes is a difficult game this weekend,” said Smith. “But then we have a tough schedule.

“In fact it is very like a typical NBA schedule. What they do there is they don’t hammer the players in training, and that is going to be our approach.

“We need to make sure players get their rest. We have given some players a rest already – James Hamilton sat out and Colin O’Reilly took the weight off his ankle, while Calvin Davis got some important game-time as did Phil Brandreth and Richard Murphy.

“We’ll need all of them to get us through.”

Jets have a deep squad and Smith is pleased to have to juggle his personnel.

“It is a sign we are successful,” he said. “With the BBL Cup run, things have got a little squashed. But we would rather fight on two fronts like this than miss out.”

Transport will be laid on for the quarter-final at Guildford for fans who can make it. It will leave the Northgate at noon and The Groves Sports & Social Club in Ellesmere Port at 12.30pm. The cost is £20 per person including a game ticket. For details, email jetsinfo@jetsbasketball.org.uk