Akeem Ellis says the intensity at both ends of the court during Cheshire Phoenix's stunning 94-76 success over Worcester Wolves on Friday night is something that is here to stay.
The Nix snapped a five-game losing streak in the BBL at Worcester and ended the home side's run of 15 consecutive home wins after a superb team performance, led by Ellis' devastating shooting form that saw him nail 36 points with 72% from the field.
And with the club having struggled on court in recent weeks and yet to win a home game, New Yorker Ellis, a summer recruit from Canadian NBL side Brampton A's, believes that the tide is now turning for the Nix on the back of their success at Worcester.
"If it did or didn't silence a few doubters it doesn't matter to us, we're going to bring it like that every night from now on," said Ellis, a garduate of Coppin State University.
"It's not about the doubters it's all about us, as coach always tells us.
"Honestly (at Worcester), we just all came together on the defensive end of the floor. We noticed (previously) our defence just was not good enough and it wasn't acceptable anymore. The good defence led to our offence.
"I always counted us in the picture for trophies. Yes we are a new squad basically still learning each other, but this is definitely a chance to build and move forward and move up in the league one game at a time."
Ellis put in one of the standout performances of the BBL season so far, connecting on seven of his 10 efforts from three and six of eight from inside the arc.
And the 25-year-old says that he had the feeling early on that it was to be a night to remember for both him and the team.
He said: "That was definitely a game to remember. I was just so locked in.
"After the second or third three pointer I knew it was going to be a good night. But that night couldn't have gone like that with out the support of my team and coaches giving me the confidence to keep going."
With the Nix now turning their attention to the BBL Cup tomorrow, Ellis believes the time is now to put an end to their home hoodoo at the Cheshire Oaks Arena and end their four-game losing streak at their new home.
"There is no better time than the cup to bring in our first home win," he said.
"If we play with the same defensive intensity there is no doubt in my mind we will win."
