Cheshire Phoenix head coach John Coffino believes the gritty 89-86 win over the Glasgow Rocks on Sunday night has shown the character of his side.
Missing the experienced David Aliu through suspension and without the services of the departed Gareth Murray, who left for a new career in France last week, the Nix had four of their five starters play all 40 minutes of the contest at the Emirates Arena.
Demond Watt grabbed 26 points and 17 rebounds in the win, with Mike Di Nunno also tipping in 26 points for the Nix, who had former NBA star Julius Hodge in their starting line up.
Former Denver Nuggets and Milwaukee Bucks man Hodge, 30, netted 11 points and 10 rebounds in the contest after joining the club just 24-hours earlier.
Coffino says the manner of the victory, which takes the Nix to 2-4 in the BBL Championship, was the most heartening aspect of all.
“Going there with barely enough players, nobody expected us to win, but we dug deep and we showed real heart to get that win,” said Coffino.
“The guys were phenomenal and they showed the talent and their will to win. To have four guys play the entire basketball game and come out with the ‘W’, that’s pretty special.
“Taylor King was nursing an injury and he had a little foul trouble so he sat out three minutes or so, but we got through it and we’re showing what we can do now.
“There can be no excuses for us now after this result. The trip, the fact we only had just enough guys to play, it didn’t matter. We won and we showed what we are capable of. I’m very proud.”
Coffino dedicated the win to popular Phoenix volunteer Mickey Clifford who is being treated for a serious illness at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
“That one was for Mickey,” he said.
“He was our sixth man out there on the court. He’s such a popular guy at the Phoenix and we are all thinking of him. I’m so glad we could get that win for him.”
The Nix are back in BBL action this Sunday when they entertain Bristol Flyers (5.30pm), with Coffino aiming to see his side claim another triumph.
“We are improving with every game and we are still not at our level that we want to be at yet, which is scary,” he said.
“I think in a few more weeks we’ll really take off. We’ve been unlucky to have lost a couple of games so far against good teams but I think that they will be looking over their shoulder at us in the next few weeks and starting to get a little worried. We’re coming for them.”
